People's Democracy

FMRAI Resolves to Fight Globalisation

20th Conference Held At Hyderabad

THE 20th conference of the Federation of Medical & Sales Representatives Associations of India (FMRAI) resolved to link up with the working class and democratic movement in fighting the twin evils of globalisation and communalism with all its strength. It also decided to further intensify its fight against the menace of fake and spurious drugs, which is affecting millions of people of our country. It sent a firm message to the pharma industry giants that FMRAI is all set to face the challenges and assault against the field workers.

Seven hundred and eighty four delegates, including 5 women delegates, attended the conference, held at Hyderabad on February 9-12, 2004. It was inaugurated by Chittabrata Majumdar, general secretary, CITU, who in his speech dealt with the ruinous impact of globalisation, the damaging role of new finance capital and imperialism, the fallout of the harmful policies of the BJP- led government and the urgent need for the working class and toiling sections to intensify united struggle against the same.

The conference began with the hoisting of the FMRAI flag by J S Majumdar, FMRAI vice president, in the presence of veteran trade union leaders, activists and leaders of various mass organisations and delegates at Comrade Nanduri Prasad Rao Nagar, (APSRTC Complex), Hyderabad.

Earlier, eminent scientist, Padmabhushan Dr P M Bhargava in his welcome address as the chairman of the reception committee stressed the necessity of fighting the menace of fake and spurious drugs in the interest of the ailing masses of the country. He urged upon the medical and sales representatives to take the lead and assured his co-operation and support in this regard.

All eminent trade union leaders while appreciating the fighting spirit of FMRAI against the onslaught of employers and the policies of the BJP-led central government, called upon the movement to further integrate itself with the working class and democratic movement of the country in defending the rights of the working people and the toiling sections.

Rabin Deb, chief whip of Left Front in West Bengal assembly, in his address explained the policies of the Left Front government of West Bengal in defending the rights of the working class, peasants and toiling millions. He highlighted the dangerous implications of the present Vajpayee led NDA regime. Dr S S Reddy, director, Apollo Hospital, K L Mahendra, president World Federation of Trade Unions, Shanti Bardhan, general secretary of Bank Employees Federation of India, Venugopal, general secretary of All India Insurance Employees Associations and C G Chauhan of Nicholas Employees Union were among those who greeted the conference.

DELIBERATIONS

A presidium comprising of R S Bajpai, A K Ghosh and J S Majumdar presided over different sessions of the conference. D P Dubey, general secretary, placed the general secretary’s report and S R Roy, Treasurer report.

A total of 107 delegates from different states participated in the discussion on general secretary report, and other documents relating to socio-political scenario at international as well as national level. Among the issues taken up by most were the attack on workers’ rights, on united working class movement, on pharmaceutical industry – its unethical marketing and business practices, prices of medicines and the health of people, Patent Act, 1970, public sector selling spree etc.

The burning problems of medical and sales representatives were thoroughly discussed, including the action needed to deal with them. Among the problems highlighted were the moves to de-unionise them by falsely designating as officers/executives, punishing them by making them solely responsible for sales, imposition of unbearable and humiliating working conditions, problems of organised and unorganised sections due to violation of SPE Act’ 1976 and Rules there under by employers etc. A review of the struggles conducted so far and the organisational consolidation was also undertaken.

The general secretary in his reply while noting the various suggestions of the delegates explained that despite the all-out attack of employers and anti-employee policies of the central government, the FMRAI increased its paid membership to about 45,000, increased its mobilising capacity of members and also intensified the movement company-wise and in general.

The conference adopted the following documents after deliberation:

• Agenda Of Action 2004 On Movement

• Agenda Of Action 2004 On Organisation and a

• Note On Sectional Movement reflecting the tactical approach in respect to movement, both against confrontationist group as well as cooperative group of employers.

The conference adopted resolutions on ‘Right to Strike’, ‘On Movement and Campaign against Fake and Spurious Drugs’, ‘On Defeating the BJP and its Allies in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections’, ‘On Observing BTR Centenary’ etc.

CONCLUSION & MASS RALLY

In his concluding address,  J S Majumdar, vice president FMRAI pointed out that the 20th conference held at Hyderabad, where FMRAI took birth in 1963, will be remembered as a conference of unity, unanimity and confidence. While emphasising the need to broaden unity, he called upon the FMRAI to work untiringly for the defeat of the communal forces and to fight the globalisation by channelising its entire organisational machinery and strength. He also stressed the need of urgent and rapid consolidation at all levels of the organisation to meet the new challenges posed by the government at the centre and the ruling classes.

The conference after adopting the general secretary’s report, treasurer’s report and resolutions unanimously, elected 20 office-bearers, 48 working committee members with R Vishwanathan as president, D P Dubey as general secretary and S R Roy as treasurer. The conference also elected 221 general council members.

An impressive, colourful, militant rally led by FMRAI leaders and accompanied by performers of people’s cultural organisation, Praja Natya Mandali, marched through the main streets of Hyderabad and converged into a public meeting at Indira Park. The rallyists were seen holding placards, festoons and banners decrying globalisation, BJP’s communal rule etc. The public meeting was addressed by  D P Dubey, general secretary, J S Majumdar, vice president, FMRAI and B V Raghavulu, secretary Andhra Pradesh state committee of the CPI(M). The speakers exposed the anti-people, anti worker policies of the BJP-led NDA regime as well as the so-called high tech rule of Chandra Babu Naidu’s TDP government. They called upon the toiling sections to join hands and defeat these forces in the ensuing general as well as state elections.