Recognise us as frontline warriors, say BSNL employees

The 65,000 employees of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) have asked the Centre and the organisation’s management to recognise them as frontline Covid warriors. They have been working as frontline warriors to maintain essential telecom services during the pandemic.

The employees have not even been considered on priority for vaccination and any type of cashless health insurance medical treatment. Also, there is no provision for compensating their families in case of death on duty. Around 100 BSNL employees have succumbed to Covid infection in the last one month. Out of these, five were from Kota division.

Aaditya Vijay, president of All India Graduate Engineer Telecom Officer Association (AIGETOA), a representing association of BSNL, and its secretary P N Sharma have asked the management for immediate restoration of CGA (Compensatory Ground Appointment) facility.
Union government, as well as BSNL management so far have shown a cold incomprehensive attitude towards 65,000 employees, most of whom are below 45 years of age, said Aaditya Vijay. He added that the employees and their families are under great stress as they are at a high risk of infection and those below 45 have not been vaccinated. Vaccination will help them to go out and perform their duties fearlessly, he said.

The BSNL employees should also be covered under cashless medical treatment scheme by its management the Centre. Many other PSUs and government departments have already provided the same to their employees to boost their morale, an employee in Kota claimed. ToI