Vol. XII No.

7 KOLKATA

FMRAI NEWS
Organ of Federation of Medical And Sales Representatives Associations of India

Rs.3 1 MARCH 2013

60-A Charu Avenue Kolkata-700 033 Phone : (033)24242862 Fax : (033)24244943 www.fmrai.org E-mail : fmrainews@gmail.com

FMRAIs 23rd Conference

Celebration on 50th Year Determination to Resist New Attacks

Mass meeting at Rani Rashmoni Road 23 conference of FMRAI in February, 2013 was held at its 50th year, attended by 941 Mahajati Sadan in Kolkata. This is the place where many big delegates representing 74,000 political events of national plus membership of 2011 from independence movement took all its state units, was place. The place was renamed inaugurated on 4 February, as Comrade Jyoti Basu Nagar 2013 at Comrade M. K. Pandhe on this occasion. Manch at Kolkata by prominent The 23rd conference in Kolkata leader of democratic movement was aptly celebrated as golden of the country and CPI(M)s jubilee year conference, with a leader in Rajya Sabha and Polit special session, inaugurated by Bureau member Sitaram CITUs all India president and Yechury and was welcomed by CPI(M)s Polit Bureau member A. the Leader of Opposition in K. Padmanabhan, felicitation of West Bengal Legislative past leaders and display of Assembly and Polit Bureau performing arts created specially member of CPI(M) Dr Surya for this celebration with spirit of Kanta Misra. Four days struggle and for social progress. conference from 4 to 7
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The programme of 50 year began on 13 May, 2012 with the flagging off FMRAIs GoldenJubilee-Flag-March at Hyderabad, where FMRAI was formed in 1963, by prominent leader of democratic movement of the country and CPI(M)s Polit Bureau member Brinda Karat. Completing its 9-month-long successful journey across the country, covering 26 states and most of the districts and all major cities and towns; FMRAIs flag reached Kolkata and hoisted by its president R. Vishwanathan at the conference venue. FMRAIs 50 years journey is the history of struggle outside

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Delegate session against governments and employers policies and attacks; the history of large number of sacrifices and of advancement. It is the history of fight inside against opportunism, parasitism and against attempt of disruption. In these 50 years, FMRAI emerged out as a powerful trade union with its country-wide network, unparallel in trade union history, and touching one lakh membership in 2012. All India general secretary of CITU and Member of Parliament Tapan Sen specially came to address this conference. Others who greeted the conference include HMS leader Samir Roy,

AICAPEF leader T. K. Sengupta, Nepal Medical and Sales Representatives Association president (NMSRA) Jeetendra Vaidya with vote of thanks by Sumahan Chakraborty, general secretary of reception committee and host unit. Immediately after inaugural session, a massive and colourful procession, originating from conference venue, paraded on the streets of central Kolkata raising slogans, flags, festoons and banners and reaching at Rani Rashmoni Road at Esplanade East converted into a large public meeting, addressed by Sitaram
See page-7

Supreme Court Rejects SLP of Glaxo-Smithkline

In a landmark judgement on 11 February, 2013, a two members Supreme Court bench comprising of Justice T. S. Thakur and Justice S. J. Mukhopadhaya dismissed the SLP (No. 2855 -2856/2013) filed by Biddle Sawyer Pvt. Ltd (now GlaxoSmithKline) saying, We see no reason to interfere with the impugned order. The special leave petitions are dismissed. GlaxoSmithkline filed SLP in the Supreme Court following the Madras High Court award of 31 January, 2012 dismissing the writ petition of the management upholding the judgement of Additional Labour Court of Chennais Award ordering reinstatement of S. Sukumar and R. Sridhar in the state of Tamilnadu only.

FMRAI Members in 2021 February Strike

From FMRAI News, April, 2012 : Both Sukumar and

Sridhar, were medical representatives of erstwhile Biddle Sawyer in Chennai since 1980. Both were leading functionaries of TNMSRA and FMRAI and were also negotiating committee members of FMRAI in Biddle Sawyer. As members of the negotiating committee, they signed three settlements. The management created hindrance for the 4th settlement and dragged the issue till 1995 before entering into a settlement with its own floated field staff association. FMRAI launched movement against Biddle Sawyer which was

led by Sukumar, Sridhar and others. In retaliation, management terminated seven leading functionaries. In August1997, after bilateral discussion, management reinstated all excepting Sukumar and Sridhar before the company was taken over by GSK in October1997. The dispute raised against their terminations was referred to the Labour Court but there was no progress on the matter as there was no judge posted in the said court for four and a half years. The case practically started in 2003 and on 24 October, 2008 the court issued an Award of reinstatement with 50% back wages and continuity of services.

The GSK management refused to implement the Award and obtained a stay from High Court against the Award in June, 2009. However, pretending to implement the Award, the GSK management transferred both of them from Tamilnadu and posted Sukumar at Anantanag in J&K and Sridhar at Pali in Rajasthan. FMRAI advised both of them to join at the transferred places which they did. But the enraged GSK management continued to harass them unabated by not treating them as employees of the company. They were not provided with any doctors list, promotional
See page-2

Rally at Satna More than lakhs of medical and sales representatives, in all 137 organised companies and large number of small scale sector companies, brought complete cessation of sales promotion activities all over the country during 20 21 February country-wide general strike. Field workers actively participated in strike picketing, took out torch light processions and rallies, formed human chain resorted to road blocks, staged dharnas and demonstrations alongwith other sections of workers and employees. Due to protest by FMRAIs Maharashtra unit, MSMRA, Cipla and Pfizer had to abandon their meetings at Aurangabad and Nagpur respectively. Grandix had to cancel its meeting due to protest by MPMSRU at Raipur. More Photos, Page-6

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FMRAI NEWS

Editorial

FMRAI NEWS
MARCH 2013

23rd Conference and Newer Challenges

23rd conference of FMRAI, held at Kolkata during 4-7 February is the testimony in the field workers movement as memorable and significant milestone. 941 delegates coming from all its affiliated units exhibited complete unity in analyzing the past and in deciding future course to meet the newer challenges emanating from the neo-liberal onslaughts in this era of globalization. It is memorable because 23rd conference is coincided with FMRAIs 50 years journey since its inception in 1963. The golden jubilee of FMRAI was commemorated in a befitting manner, with festivity impregnated with trade union essence, through felicitations of former office bearers, working committee members and council leaders. Correctly, general secretary in its report, based on perspective, demands and organizational orientation, categorized the 50 years in phases- from attainment of legal status as workman to realizing collective bargaining and trade union rights and to its present de-unionization stage in this neo-liberal economic policy era. Unlike any other conferences of FMRAI in the past, large number of front ranking national leaders addressed and greeted the Kolkata conference acknowledging the humble contribution of field workers during last 50 years in general democratic and trade union movement of the country besides their sectional demands will definitely make it a memorable one. 23rd conference is significant due to its clear conclusions drawn by the delegates in three areas, emphasizing uplifting of policy related movement on the demands of field workers identity and right of working and other pending demands and against governments policy in respect of high price of drugs and pharmaceuticals and governments attempt in creating ground for patent regime; heightening OSG movement with special emphasis against Cosme FarmaAdcock and re-orienting the local units of FMRAI, the areas of implementation, making those as vibrant and dynamic organizational outfits. With the contraction of market in Europe, America and other advanced capitalist countries due to world economic crisis coupled with austerity measures; more than Rs.50.000 crores of FDI has come in India through acquisition route, in consonance with government policy of inviting FDI. All these created conditions for preparing ground for a patent regime for drugs and pharmaceuticals in India combined with attacks on the medical practitioners, medical representatives and conspiracy of MNCs in destroying the base of Indian sector drug companies. These new attacks on medical representatives are being observed in the area of attack of profession of medical representatives itself and attack on their right to work. The impending threat is on collective job security of the sales promotion employees in pharmaceuticals industry and their legal right to work in the hospitals, institutions and with registered medical practitioners. It is in this background, the resolutions adopted in the conference against newer forms of attack, on field workers policy related demands and movement and on revival of public sector pharma companies, having a common linkage and are inseparable, assumed greater significance prioritizing future movemental direction. The conference adopted a resolution on price control of medicines and building movement on it as an urgent and priority issue in association with medical practitioners and other democratic sections of the people. This is important in the background of force sale of costly patented medicines, loot of the people by spiraling price of all medicines and as a source of pharma corporate corruption divesting a part of their super profit for bribing for prescription and trade. Price control on medicines is also connected with high taxation. Price control on medicines is an instrument by which there can be effective resistance against patent, patented medicines, against super profit for bribing and relief to the people. Besides the field workers sectional demands, the conference also called upon the field workers to fight out neo-liberal policies of the central government along with other sections of trade union and mass organizations and adopted specific resolutions against price rise and to make 20 21 February countrywide general strike a grand success. On the organizational area, setting objective of 1 lakh membership in 2013 and effective monitoring of movements, 23rd conference laid emphasis on the need of re-orienting the local units in tune of the need of the hour. Local units are the implementing areas of all movemental decisions and there is an urgent necessity of revamping to meet the newer challenges.
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Adcock in economic embargo and legal knot

Rejecting managements request of seeking twelve weeks time, the Andhra Pradesh Labour Commissioner sent a letter (No. P1/467/2013) on 12 February to director & chief operating officer of Adcock Ingram to attend a joint meeting on 26 February and further directed not to bring undue pressure on the sales promotion employees employed by Cosme Farma Laboratories Ltd. to submit their resignation letters, etc., and comply with labour laws of the land till such time. In the event of failure, the letter cautioned, the Company would be held responsible for all the legal consequences. On that day, i.e. on 12 February, management evaded the joint meeting called by Labour Commissioner of Andhra Pradesh by sending a supervisor with a letter seeking postponement of the meeting and requesting twelve weeks time further which was rejected. Further, on 23 February notice has been issued by deputy labour commissioner of Karnataka to the Company to submit factual report on the actions taken and explanations within 8 March against violations of Sections 9-A and 25FF of Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, Sales Promotion Employees (Conditions of Service) Act, 1976 and its Rules and on violation of Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisement) Act, 1954 on the basis of complaint lodged by FMRAIs state unit Karnataka State Medical & Sales Representatives Association (KSM&SRA). 23rd conference of FMRAI, held at Kolkata during 4-7 February adopted a resolution against circumvention of laws and resolved to put up resistance against all activities of the Company by OSG all over the country before the Company could consolidate their position. The fluidity of the Company is evident from their communications as there are few concerns and issues to be ironed out and sales for January were very muted which they were willing to take this as an aberration.

Resolution
On circumvention of law by Cosme Farma and Adcock Ingram Healthcare Private Limited
The 23rd Conference of Federation of Medical and Sales Representatives Associations of India (FMRAI), being held at Kolkata during 4th to 7 th February, 2013, adopts the following Resolution. The 23rd Conference of FMRAI NOTED THAT Instead of automatic job transfer to Adcock Ingram Healthcare limited, the management forcibly extracted resignations from the sales promotion employees of Cosme Farma in violation of Industrial Disputes Act. 1947; and - Instead of issuing appointment letters in Form A management offered them contract employment, in violation of the Sales Promotion Employees (Conditions of Service) Act, 1976 (SPE Act) and Rules made thereunder, RAISED DEMANDS Before Adcock Ingram - Job protection and job transfer of all sales promotion employees of Cosme Farma, irrespective of divisions and divisions, under Section 25FF of Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 with continuity of service. Before Drug control authorities Suspend illegal sales promotion by unauthorised persons of Adcock Ingram Healthcare Private Limited. Before State Labour Commissioner and District Labour authorities Prosecute Adcock Ingram Healthcare Private Limited for violation of SPE Act for not issuing appointment letters in Form-A for violation of Section 9A and 25FF of Industrial Disputes Act, 1947; and Suspend sales promotion activities through unauthorised persons not having a p p o i n t m e n t letters in Form-A. CALLS UPON All field workers, regardless of divisions and designations, of Cosme Farma Laboratories Limited, to quickly get mobilised for future industrial actions including strikes; FMRAIs OSG network to vigorously pursue the above demands with labour and drug authorities, to file FIR to police for illegal sales promotion and stage dharna, demonstrations before the authorities and management; create sales blockade, payment blockade and paralyse total sales and distribution of the company.

USV MD booked for not giving appointment letter in Form A

A prosecution case (No. 0500272/SS/13) has been registered on 5 February in the cour t of 5 th Metropolitan Magistrate at Bhoiwada, Dadar, Mumbai personally against managing director of USV Limited, Prashant Tiwari and against USV Limited for not issuing appointment letter in prescribed Form A, under Rule 22(1) of Sales Promotion Employees (Conditions of Service) Act, 1976. The next date of hearing is posted on 7 May. The Maharashtra government labour officer and inspector in his repor t mentioned that the accused has committed breaches under Section 5 Rule 22(1) of the Sales Promotion Employees (Conditions of Service) Act, 1976, Sales Promotion Employees (Conditions of Service) Rules, 1976 and has also prayed that process be issued against the accused and be dealt according to law.

Supreme Court Rejects

From page-1

CONDOLENCE

Comrade S N Roychaudhury
Comrade S N Roychaudhury, 46, a sales promotion employee of Galpha Laboratories and a member of Rourkela unit of OSRU passed away on 22 February following a brief illness. He left behind his old parents and wife. Large numbers of Rourkela unit members were present in the cremation. FMRAI mourns the untimely death of Comrade S. N. Roychaudhury and conveys hear tfelt condolence to the bereaved family.

materials, visiting cards, imprest cash etc and paid them beginners salary ignoring their seniority and their due wages. This was in total violation of the order of the Labour Court. Against such illegal and autocratic action by the GSK management, Sukumar and Sridhar filed miscellaneous petition in the Madras High Court. Though both the petitions were admitted but no ruling was given by the court. Argument on writ petition concluded on 28 July, 2011. On 31 January this year, the High Court upheld the Labour Courts Award and dismissed the writ petition of the management. The High Court while issuing the judgement, observed, ..no enquiry was held before their services were dispensed with. Even though it was alleged that termination was due to their inefficiency in work and dereliction of duty and before the CGIT, no evidence was led by the managementUnder the said circumstances, this court did not find any case is made out to interfere with the impugned Awards.

FMRAI NEWS

MARCH 2013

23 rd CONFERENCE PHO TOS PHOT

Placement of Reports & Agenda of Action

R Viswanathan

D P Dubey

A K Banerjee

Alok Ganguli

K B Kadam

Glimpses of 23rd Conference

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FMRAI NEWS

23 rd CONFERENCE PHO TOS PHOT

Fraternal Delegates Delegates

Amrita Milan, MPMSRU

Samir Roy, HMS

Khurshid A. Niyazi JKMSRA

Dr. J Chatterjee

Jitendra Vaidya, NMSRA

S. R. Laskar addressing during special session on Golden Jubilee Celebration on 5 February

Contribution in Special Fund of FMRAI out of the benifits of the settlement of Charter of Demands by Councils

German Remedies
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Lupin

Drakt International

FMRAI NEWS

MARCH 2013

23 rd CONFERENCE PHO TOS PHOT

MARCH 2013

FMRAI NEWS

CONFERENCE RESOL UTIONS RESOLUTIONS

ON POLICY RELATED DEMANDS AND MOVEMENT
This 23rd Conference of Federation of Medical and Sales Representatives Associations of India being held from 4th to 7th February, 2013 at Kolkata. NOTING : That the period between 22nd and 23rd Conference has seen substantial developments and achievements in the area of Policy Level Movement, particularly Labour Ministrys decision for constitution of Tripartite Industrial Committee for sales promotion employees; extension of SPE for ten other industries; holding tripartite meeting by Governments of Maharashtra and Karnataka on the enforcement of SPE Act, particularly the issue of appointment letter in form A, inspection and prosecution etc. and similar developments in some other states also. FURTHER NOTING : That Tripartite Industrial Committee was not constituted despite persuasion; demands for Statutory Working Rules under SPE Act remain pending; demand for exclusive enforcement of section 2 (j) 2 (b) for inclusion of Sales promotion as Industry; imprisonment as penalty for violation of SPE Act under section 9; six months maternity leave for women sales promotion employees and ALSO NOTING : That demands related to medicines for people; for cost based price control on all medicines with minimum mark up on essential medicines; reverting to cost based excise duty with no task on essential medicines; effective check of unfair marketing and trading all remained pending. FURTHER NOTING : That issuing legally required Appointment Letter in form a prescribed in SPE Act to all Sales Promotion Employees by all the companies within specific time frame failing which ordering suspension of illegal marketing operation; effective inspection and prosecution are yet to achieved; This conference decides to pursue the above Policy Related demands with Union Labour Ministry, Union Chemical Ministry and Union Health Ministry and also State Governments of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Gujarat and NCT Delhi; And decides to pursue through Representation, Country Wide Agitation and campaign including Strike within specific time frame in 2013.

Newer Forms Of Attack

From page-7

ON REVIVAL OF PUBLIC SECTOR PHARMA COMPANIES

Immediately after independence in 1947, with the technical knowhow from World Health Organisation and assistance from UNICEF, Hindustan Antibiotics Limited (HAL) was started, manufacturing penicillin in India. Indian drugs & Pharmaceuticals Limited (IDPL) was formed later, with technical assistance from the erstwhile Soviet Union. Other Public sector companies like Bengal Immunity, Bengal Chemicals etc. were also contributing to the medicine needs of the people and the country. Till 1991, these companies have introduced many a bulk drug and even own research products. Utilizing the preference in Government purchases and entering the trade market in a slow pace, the companies were advancing till 1991. The neo-liberal policies took away the bulk drug manufacturing reserved for public sector and allowed bulk drugs to be imported has led to the present grim situation of the company. Due to mismanagement and investment in unwarranted areas, it led the companies to shortage of working funds resulting in short supply of products in the market and HAL was even referred to BIFR. Since then two revival packages offered by the Central Government were insufficient to bring back the company on right track. The condition of the public sector employees has deteriorated and the sales promotion employees are being forced to accept VRS. The employees are not paid salaries and allowances on time. Fieldworkers of KAPL, another PSU are being harassed by linkage of allowances to productivity. Further, products are not adequately available for promotion and marketing. The standing Committee on Chemicals & Fertilizers in its report of August 2011, while expressing its anguish over the performance of PSU Pharmaceuticals Industries, has recommended for improving their marketing strategy and overcome competition from Private concerns and to venture into the open market with full giver. In the 12th Plan Executive summary it is observed The Department of Pharmaceuticals has a vision for the development of the Indian Pharmaceutical Industry. The vision is to make India the largest Global provider of quality medicines at reasonable prices. To realize this vision the goal for the 12th Plan is to facilitate the growth of Central pharma PSUs. The 23rd Conference of FMRAI held at Kolkata from February 4th to 7th, 2013 demands of the Central Government that all public sector drug companies including HAL, Pune should be revamped with further assistance of finance without loss of time and thereby revive operations for production of medicines as well as regularize the wage payments of all the employees.

AGAINST ATROCITIES ON WOMEN

The 23rd Conference of FMRAI being held at Kolkata from February 4th to 7th n2013 notes with grave concern the increase in attacks on women across the country. As per the statistical report of the Government of India, the number of cases have increased by 873% during 1971 - 2011. It is a shame that the national capital, Delhi is in the first position in the number of incidents. Violence against women takes various forms as a result of contradictions created by age old patriarchal values on the one hand and modern consumerist culture on the other. Increasing poverty and insecurity have worsened the bargaining capacity of poor women. However, there is little attention paid to this most wide spread yet highly invisible form of violence based on economic inequality. Global media has only increased the commodification of women that further encourages violence. After the recent gang-rape incident at Delhi, there was mass upsurge and protests across the country. It exposed the failure of the political leadership and administrative weakness. It is unfortunate that the Government hurriedly promulgated an ordinance just before the Parliament session ostensibly for imposing harsher punishment including death penalty but in reality violating democratic norms by not allowing Parliament to discuss all aspects of Justice Verma Commission's report. The Conference demands implementation of Verma Commission's recommendations particularly on the area of Government's responsibility, penalizing the government officials, bringing the security personnel under the ambit of law and all other proposals. The women Sales Promotion Employees have been subjected to increased sexual harassment, intimidation and exploitation. The employers have failed to protect the women Sales Promotion Employees from sexual harassments at work places. They have not formed any committees or created any redressal mechanism in their companies, as laid down by the Supreme Court. Further, the Government has not increased the Maternity Leave to 6 months, thereby putting the women Sales Promotion Employees to tremendous hardship. This 23rd Conference of FMRAI CALLS for wide campaign, initiation of individual movements and participation in joint actions planned by Working Women Coordination Committee (CITU) & DECIDES to observe March 8th as 'Women's Protection Day' and create awareness amongst women fieldworkers and general public by conducting various campaigns and programmes all over the country.

Growth, energy and environment Robert Hormats on 30 th January 2013 that Compulsory licensing clause of patent would be restricted use as objected by the patent holder American companies referring to anticancer drug Nexavar. All these created conditions for preparing ground for a patent regime for drugs and pharmaceuticals in India combined with attacks on the medical practitioners, medical representatives and Indian sector companies. These new attacks on medical representatives are being observed in the area of attack of profession of medical representatives itself and attack on their right to work. The impending threat is on collective job security of the sales promotion employees in pharmaceuticals industry and their legal right to work in the hospitals, institutions and with registered medical practitioners. Indian companies in turn resorting to massive divisionalisation and imposing huge work load and pressure on the sales promotion employees to out beat the coming multinationals which are also creating additional problems for the sales promotion employees. This conference therefore calls upon the fieldworkers of the country to remain vigilant, united and launch massive campaign and agitation for the protection of profession, job and right to work. In this context this conference decides to pursue the demands related to legal identity and legal right to work of the sales promotion employees as top priority issues through legal appointment letter and legal identity card and to work in the hospitals and institution and with the registered medical practitioners without any ban or restriction.

20-21 Feb Strike

Khammam

ON REHABILITATION OF WASIF SYED

This 23rd conference of the Federation of Medical and Sales Representatives Associations of India (FMRAI) being held at Kolkata from 4th to 7th February, 2013, representing more than one lac membership throughout the country, unanimously adopts this resolution. This conference notes with serious concern about the innocent young men belonging to Muslim minorities, being branded as terrorists showing communal set of mind in the administration of different states. One such examples is that of a Medical Representative Wasif Syed of Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh). Wasif Syed was a Medical Representative of UCB Pharma at Kanpur from 1994 to 1998 and was a member of Uttar Pradesh State Unit of this Federation - Uttar Pradesh Medical and Sales Representatives Association. Later he joined Becton Dickinson India Ltd., Executive Floor, Surya Western Hotel, New Friends Colony, New Delhi, a medical equipment company, with HQ at Kanpur in 1998. Wasif Syed was arrested in July, 2001 and was put to jail from 4-8-2001 to 12-8-2009 on false charges of being terrorist. Several sections of IPC of alleged murder, attempt to murder, sedition, waging war against state, rioting, arms act etc. were leveled against him. His trials were conducted in five different courts. He filed appeals in Allahabad High Court and in Supreme Court. Finally he was absolved from all charges by the court and released from jail on 12-8-2009. He has his wife and four daughters apart from his parents and other dependents. Apart from his personal life being seriously ruined his family also suffered tremendously and had to incur huge financial losses taking loan from different relatives. After his release from jail, he was trying to get a job. But because of this stigma he was unable to get a job and his employer simply ignored the appeal of reinstatement. Under these circumstances this conference urges upon the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh to kindly intervene personally and see that - He is reinstated by his employer with continuity of service and back wages; - Adequate compensation is given to him by the Government of Uttar Pradesh for his rehabilitation with family; and - Create conducive condition for social recognition of such cases like victims of Emergency Rule in our country. This conference appeals to the medical and sales representatives of the country to extend some immediate financial help to Wasf Syed. 6

Dhanbad

Udaipur

FMRAI NEWS

MARCH 2013

FMRAIs 23rd Conference

Special Session on Golden Jubilee
The golden jubilee session on 5 February evening at historic Mahajati Sadan assimilated the past with the present. After crossing many ups and downs, this could be marked as the proudest moment of FMRAI when the veterans shared their rich experience and were felicitated by their successors to acknowledge their sacrifice and contribution in building up this mammoth organization. For any trade union and for that matter for any organization, such moments are rare. CITUs president A.K.Padmanabhan inaugurated this special session, greeted all par ticipants and wished successful journey of FMRAI for years after years. Former leaders of FMRAI who were felicitated include J. S. Majumdar, general secretary;

23rd Conference elected 20 Office Bearers and 72 Working Committee members

Office Bearers
President Vice Presidents R.Viswanathan D. M. Deshpande, Niraj Srivastava, Alok Ganguli, G. Madhu and Sumahan Chakraborty General Secretary Aloke Kumar Banerjee Joint General Secretaries Dipak Bhattacharya and K.B.Kadam Treasurer Partha Rakshit Secretaries Santanu Chatterjee, Aniruddha Chowdhury, Sanjay Chatterjee, Bijan Das, T. Kameshwar Rao, P.N. Subramanian, R.P. Singh, Sanjeev Khandelwal, R.Ramesh Sunder and Naveen Gupta. Special Invitee D. P. Dubey

office bearers P.K.Ganguly, S.R.Laskar, N.K.Tarafdar, M.K.Nandi, R.N.Ghosh, K Ramesh, Arun Ghoshal, Samir Das, Amitava Guha, S. Sukumar, Samir Ranjan Roy, A.G.Rajamohan, A. K. Ghosh, Swadesh Bandhu and R.S.Vajpayee; working committee members Sukesh Sen, S. K. Khastagir, Kalyan Bose, N.

Mazumdar, Sanjib Chakraborty, Dilip Bose, Aloke Roy, V Krishna Kumar; and council leaders Debomoy Roy, Aniruddha Dam, Ashok Chatterjee, Sujit Chowdhury, Biplab Mitra, Swapan Bhattacharya, Bani Ghosh and Jyotish Dutta. A cultural programme was organized to mark this historic event.

Working Committee Members

A G Rajamohan, M. Subramanium, U.V. Krishnaiah, Mukund Kulkarni, I. Raju Bhatt, K. Sunil Kumar, P. S. Sekhara Reddy, Anirban Bose, Ashim Kumar Haldar, Anupam Kumar, Biswajit Deb, Debashis Roy, Manoj Choudhary, Rahul Purakayastha, Jamini Barbaruah, P. K. Roy, N. Kaushal, Paul Varghese, V. V. Raja, K. M. Surendran, Mohan C Nair, M. M. Haneefa, P. Krishnanand, Raju Hiremath, M. N. Dattani, H.J. Suresh, L. M. Peshwa, S.K. Talukdar, Sailendra Sharma, N. P. Shukla, V. S. Rawal, C. R. Sonawane, Salim Patel, T. V. Sridhar, Vivek Sawant, Deepak Papdeja, Narendra Singh, B. N. Sahu, Subhankar Das, Satya Brata Mahapatra, Niladri Roy, Rakesh Galav, Anjani Sharma, J. S. Naruka, S. Gopinathan, H.Sriram, F. J. Jerome, V. Vasudevan, C. Prabhakar Devadoss, Hemant Kr. Singh, Sheshnath Tewri, Rakesh Pandey, Sanjay Narang, S. C. Awasthi, R. K. Srivastava, D Sen, Shiv Awasthi, Naginder Kumar, Rabin Deb, Arnab Nag, Sisir Saha, Debasish Chatterjee, Madan Das, Partha Ray, Sumit Ray, Pratish Bhowmick, Sasanka Mouli Roy, Bhaskar Majumdar, Partha Sarkar, Arpita Mitra Roy, Nishit Chatterjee, Pranab Roy and Sumit Roy
From page-1

3rd All India Women Field Workers Convention of FMRAI

FMRAIs 23rd Conference

agenda of action were adopted unanimously. J S Majumdar also summed up the business session of the conference in his concluding remark. The conference adopted eight specific resolutions for future movement including resolutions on newer attacks on the field workers identity, profession and their right to work and against establishing a patent regime; against violation of Indian law by South African multinational Adcock Ingram; on giving full attention to all 342 district and town units, the action areas of the organization; against price rise; to fully participate in 20-21 February countrywide strike by all trade unions and federations; against atrocities on women; revival of public sector drug companies; movement on policy related demands and for reinstatement and rehabilitation of Wasif Sayeed after his honourable acquittal by cour t on false charges of terrorism. The conference re-elected R Viswanathan as president and elected A. K. Banerjee and 18 other office bearers, 72 national working committee members and general council. A presidium consisting of president R Viswanathan, five vice presidents - L N Chakrabor ty, Deepak Bhattacharjee, G Madhu, D M Deshpande and Sourav Bose; and Arpita Mitra Roy presided over the four days conference. 7

Banani Biswas addressing

Arpita Mitra Roy placing Report

115 women field workers from West Bengal, North Eastern states, Bihar, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Tamilnadu met their 3rd all India convention on February 3, the day before 23rd Conference of FMRAI began, at Mahajati Sadan, Kolkata. The convention made critical assessment on the movements in pursuance of 12 point demands raised by FMRAI for women field workers and organizational developments since 2nd convention, held three years

back at Chennai. Former chairperson of West Bengal state Women Commission and former member of the parliament Malini Bhattacharya while inaugurating the convention informed that about ninety six per cent of working women are in unorganized sector where they are discriminated and denied of legal coverage and social security. She expressed concern over the worsening situation of working women due to policies of l i b e r a l i z a t i o n - p r i va t i z a t i o n globalization and demanded of the central government to implement Verma Commissions recommendations on the atrocities against women workers. Eight delegates discussed on the report placed by Arpita Mitra Roy, convener of all India women co-ordination committee of

FMRAI and the repor t was adopted unanimously. Banani Biswas, the leader of all India democratic womens association, held the attitude of society under capitalism responsible for womens exploitation. She laid emphasis on equal wage for equal work and social equality for women and demanded of the government to pass womens reservation bill. She also expressed deep concern on growing violence against women in West Bengal. FMRAIs president R Viswanathan also greeted the par ticipants. The convention unanimously elected 20 member all India women co-ordination committee. A presidium comprising Rosemery Wingston, Jyoti Tewari and Tinka Majhi presided the convention.

CONFERENCE RESOLUTIONS

On Newer Forms Of Attack

This 23 Conference of Federation of Medical and Sales Representatives Associations of India being held from 4th to 7th February, 2013 at Kolkata. NOTING THAT With the current World Economic crisis resulting in market contraction in Europe, USA, Japan and other industrially developed capitalist countries
rd

combined with austerity measures inclusive of huge cuts in health sector created conditions for SHIFTING including in pharmaceuticals to developing countries. It is in this background FDI is being encouraged and coming in big way in India. Since 2007 more than Rs. 50,000 crores FDI has come through acquisition route only in addition to huge out

sourcing of clinical trials to India. Share of national pharmaceutical sector is rapidly going down with equal rapidity there is penetration of drug MNCs. Investment by and direct involvement of drug MNCs in India combined with assurance given by union commerce and Industry minister and Sharma to US under Secretary for Economic
See page-6

Yechury, Surya Kanta Misra, West Bengal CITU state general secretary Deepak Dasgupta, FMRAIs host unit WBMSRUs president Robin Deb and reception committee general secretary Sumahan Chakraborty. FMRAIs president R Viswanathan presided over the meeting. Apart from Kolkata, large number of FMRAI members joined this rally coming from different districts of West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand and Bihar. The public nearby were hugely attracted by the slogans raised in different languages of the country by the delegates from respective states The inauguration, procession and the public meeting created deep impact and widely covered by the media. The business session was inaugurated by J. S. Majumdar, CITUs central leader and former general secretary of FMRAI. The general secretarys report dealt with fifty years developments of FMRAI in four phases identified by the issues, the tactics of movement and the development of organisation in each phase entering into the current phase of new attacks. The general secretarys report also dealt with the issues, movement and developments since the last conference held at Chennai in 2010. Followings deliberations by 55 delegates, the repor ts of general secretary, treasurer and

MARCH 2013

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Postal Registration No. KOL RMS/106/2013-2015 is yet to be unfolded. He urged upon the delegates to deal with drug pricing issues appropriately to unmask malpropaganda on brands versus generics and called upon to move in unison with doctors and traders. He held the pro-FDI policies of the central government responsible for sky rocketing medicinal price and emphasized in developing a strong movement against high price of medicines alongwith others. He gave a clarion call to completely paralyze the functioning of Adcock Ingram for flagrant violations of the laws of the land in respect of job transfers following acquisition of Cosme Farma. He emphasized upon to further improve the functioning at sub unit level.

FMRAIs 23
of a man, citing a Telugu proverb, who decided his childs name as Subralingam without having his home or wife. He said that the BJP has neither a government nor has it the prospect of coming to power, but busy in selecting the next Prime Minister.

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Conference
down, workers were retrenched but corporate profits shot up. He also mentioned that even in this economic meltdown, the profit of the multinational corporations did not adversely affect. He stated that the policy through which the price of 348 listed drugs is determined by the market, the same cannot be considered as economic policy of the country. He criticized that when people are facing the challenges of poverty and joblessness, the government is hell-bent to open up further the banking and insurance sector in the name of economic reforms which will fur ther endanger countrys economic scenario. He warned the government against the growing public dissatisfaction over its policies and cautioned that it should take note of the increasing unity amongst the workers which will be exhibited in two days country-wide strike.

Gist of Speeches
Sitaram Yechury
While inaugurating the 23 rd conference on the 4 February morning, Sitaram Yechury, Polit Bureau member of CPI(M), recalled the days when as a student leader he used to stay safely and securely in the rest houses run by the state units of FMRAI at various locations throughout the country. He acknowledged the rich contribution of FMRAI members in building peoples movement across the country and carrying forward the same. Highlighting the ongoing world economic crisis, Yechury concluded that socialism is the only alternative for mankind which is invincible too. He lamented that during last two decades of neo-liberal policies, the gap between the rich and poor has widened and the working class has been pushed to corner. He said that in coming Lok Sabha election in 2014 it will be required to establish not only an alternative government at the centre but a government with alternative propeople policies which is not possible without the aid of the Left par ties. He urged upon the members of FMRAI to take the leading role in the battle of reversing government policies. In the same evening in a mass meeting at Rani Rashmoni road, Sitaram Yechury was overwhelmed to see red flags all around. He pointed out that until the human race is carrying red blood in its vain, no one can destroy red flag and the power of red. He reiterated that right to strike is a constitutional right for countrys workmen which nobody can snatch including the Chief Minister of West Bengal. The working class could not be debarred to strike even during the days of emergency. He reaffirmed that strike would be more vigorous in the face of threat and intimidation. He criticized the oppor tunistic role of both Congress and BJP in case of foreign direct investment (FDI) in retail trade as they change their positions as ruling or opposition par ties at the centre. He commented on the activities of the UPA government and maintained that it is not enough to argue whether Manmohan Singhs personal integrity is beyond reproach or not when as the Prime Minister he is only the Ali Baba but accompanied by forty thieves. In a lighter comment, he compared BJPs recent activities over deciding on a Prime Ministerial candidate with the fate

A K Padmanabhan
To commemorate the golden jubilee occasion, a special session, called golden jubilee session, was held which was inaugurated by CITUs president A K Padmanabhan. He stressed upon the broader unity of working class as the mainstay of its movement. He expressed his anxiety over all round entry of multinationals to control the entire socio-economic activities in India including health sector which is against the interest of common public. He said that the government at the centre, ironically, is keen to protect the interest of USA and Europe rather than to protect its countrymen against such loot. He fur ther criticized the harmful liberalization and disinvestment policies of the central government against which all need to fight united. He pointed out that out of fear psychosis repeated attempts were made to break the unity of the working class which was befittingly replied by them through further broader movements. He said that CITU always stood beside the workers and would stand by the field workers movement as well. He concluded with clarion call to make country-wide general strike of 2021 February a grand success.

Dr. Surya Kanta Mishra

In the inaugural session, chairman of the reception committee of 23rd conference, a medical practitioner and leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal state Assembly, Dr. Surya Kanta Mishra heartily welcomed the delegates and narrated how difficult it was to carry out the activities to organize the conference in the adverse political situation prevailing in the state. He appreciated the long and historic role of FMRAIs movement against change in Indian Patents Act, for reduction of drug prices, against MNC-led pharma corporate corruption and to achieve and defend the rights of the field workers. During his deliberation in the mass meeting at Rani Rashmoni Avenue Dr. Mishra pointed out that the medical representatives in India, including the women field workers, are denied of their legal rights as workmen which they are supposed to enjoy in a civilized society. He said that the free entry of multinational drug companies in India is endangering the rights of the field workers in one hand and causing huge price of medicine on the other, making the availability of essential medicine beyond the reach of the common people particularly in the post Patent regime. He held the governments policy responsible for this and appreciated the role of FMRAI in building movement in pursuance of pro-people health policy and medicines for all. He criticized the attempt made by the state government in breaking strike. Dr. Mishra said that strike is the ultimate weapon of the working class which they use under compulsion unlike that of the Trinomool Congress who as opposition party in the state used to call frequent bundhs indiscriminately. He expressed his apprehension on the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.

Deepak Dasgupta
CITUs West Bengal state general secretary, Deepak Dasgupta commented that all central trade unions have assembled in a common platform in pursuance of common demands, which was not only unprecedented in independent India but also significant for the entire working class of the country. He further stressed upon the importance of united working class movement which remained as the principle philosophy of CITU since its inception. He criticized the anti people policies of the governments both at the state and the centre. He reiterated that workers were prepared to face police as well as goons but would never surrender their rights including of strike.

J S Majumdar
Narrating the recent national sample survey report, FMRAIs former general secretary and CITUs central secretariat member J S Majumdar in his deliberation in the inaugural session informed that the people of the country spend substantial amount from their earnings to buy medicine. He suggested the delegates to discuss and decide on the issue of generic medicine which is shown to be the panacea against escalating drug price. He told that doctors and medical representatives are together held responsible for high price of medicine to divert public attention from policy deficiency of the government and pharma corporate corruption. He reiterated that strong movement should be built immediately by FMRAI with doctors organizations to earn public confidence and expose the real culprits who are responsible for high price of medicine which cannot be done by the NGOs. He also briefed about the justification of minimum wage as Rs 10,000 per month for a worker. He called upon the members of FMRAI to work hard to make 20-21 February general strikes a historic success. On the second day, he inaugurated the business session. He cautioned the delegates about the impending danger before the field workers on their identity and profession, the full gamut of which

Robin Deb
WBMSRUs president and leader of democratic movement in West Bengal Robin Deb expressed his gratitude to the leadership of FMRAI for posing their confidence on the members of WBMSRU to host golden jubilee years conference. He stated that despite adverse political scenario in the state, WBMSRU could increase its membership and was able to rally its members in FMRAIs movements. He said that the organization would continue to be in the path of struggle to achieve and defend the rights of its members, including strike, as it was in the past. He criticized the fascistic role of the present state government and its chief minister in addressing public and workers issues.

Tapan Sen
CITUs general secretary Tapan Sen specially came to greet and address the 23rd conference. During his deliberation on the third day, he lamented the policies of government- MNCs combine, the resultant of which was escalating price rise of all essential commodities. He highlighted that seventy per cent of the countrys population live below poverty line while four Indians are among the top ten of worlds wealthiest persons. He said that due to relentless persuasion of governments neo-liberal policies countrys production was dropped

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EDITOR : D P DUBEY