Defence worker unions oppose corporatisation of OFB, increased FDI in manufacturing
R Srinivasan, INDWF, General Secretary, said, “This decision shows complete disregard to the process
of consulting with the stakeholders. What happened to the commitment
made at the highest level? Also, is this the time to take such a
decision that affects the national security?"
Three defence workers’ unions – affiliated to INDWF & AIDEF and BPMS – came together on Saturday to oppose
Finance Minister Hon'ble Nirmala Sitharaman’s
announcements of corporatisation of Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) and
increased Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the Defence manufacturing
as part of the fourth chapter of Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Sitharaman’s announcement for self-reliance in defence production
included corporatisation of OFB for improving autonomy, accountability
and efficiency in ordnance suppliers and FDI limit in defence
manufacturing under automatic route to be raised from 49 per cent to 74
per cent.
The corporatisation of the OFB – which is an umbrella organisation
for the 41 ordnance factories and their ecosystem – has been under
consideration since the beginning of the second term of the Narendra Modi
government. The decisions were opposed jointly by the Indian National Defence Workers’ Federation (INDWF), affiliated to Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) of the Indian National Congress, Bhartiya
Pratiraksha Mazdoor Sangh (BPMS), an arm of Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS)
affiliated to the RSS and All India Defence Employees’ Federation (AIDEF),
affiliated to Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) of the Communist Party of India.
Speaking to The Indian Express,
R Srinivasan, INDWF general secretary, said, “This decision shows
complete disregard to the process of consulting with the stakeholders.
What happened to the commitment made at the highest level? Also, is this
the time to take such a decision that affects the national security?
The three main unions are coming together in opposing this unilateral
decision by the government and will issue a joint statement tomorrow. We
together represent over 80 to 85 per cent of the total 82,000 strong
workforce from ordnance factories and also the employees of the base
workshops.”
The unions have also criticised the announcement of ‘convergence
between Defence Sector and Civil Aircraft Maintenance, Repair and
Overhaul (MRO)’ saying it indicates “privatisation of Base Repair Depots
of the Indian Air Force”. BPMS has objected to the step, saying, “Base
Repair Depots play a crucial role in maintaining the hardware of the
forces and many ‘trade secrets’ are being kept in the process. Opening
up these important sectors to private parties is a cause of concern as
there are chances of jeopardising the national interest.”
AIDEF General Secretary C Srikumar said, “This was announced in the
most cowardly manner when the workers and trade union leaders are in
isolation at their home due to the lockdown and it reminds us the
emergency like situation. After the announcement, the issue was
discussed by general secretaries of INDWF and BPMS and it was unitedly
decided that we should jointly fight back against this atrocious and
authoritarian decision of the government.”
Mukesh Singh, general secretary of BPMS, said, “We condemn and oppose
these decisions of the government that have been taken unilaterally
without consulting the federation, which was assured from time to time
by all authorities including the Defence Minister. This act of the
government at the time when the nation is engaged in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic,
not only amounts to dishonouring the commitment, but also establishes
the arrogance of the administration and a derailment of the democratic
process. BPMS calls upon the government to immediately roll back its
decision, failing which it will launch a nationwide agitation, which
will be at the risk and cost of the government. Under no circumstances
shall BPMS tolerate such unilateral, unjust and bad decisions of the
government.”
