Over three-lakh Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. employees called off their nationwide strike within hours of starting their agitation on Tuesday.
The decision was taken following an assurance from Union Communications and Information Minster A. Raja that employees' unions would be taken into confidence before taking any decision on issues related to disinvestment and retrenchment.
The government has reportedly assured BSNL unions that a Group of Ministers (GoM) will look into the issue of disinvestment, as recommended by the Sam Pitroda-led Committee. Other issues such as pension revision and absorption of Indian Telecom Service Officers in BSNL will be brought before the Cabinet soon.
Joint Action Committee of BSNL Associations and Unions Convenor V.A.N. Namboodiri said: “The decision to call off the strike was taken in the interest of the customers and the organisation during a meeting between the Minister [Mr. Raja] and the representatives of BSNL associations and unions.”
