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Persistent efforts by a group of committed trade unionists supported by numerous activists working in the IT sectors and their hard work for the past nine years, made it possible - a birth of a new organization; National Confederation UNITES (NCU India), said Christopher Ng UNI Apro Regional Secretary, at the founding conference of the NCU National Confederation of UNITES (Union for IT Enabled Service) in Hyderabad on 30th November 2014.

Regional Secretary commended the team composed of   Milind Nadkarni President of UNI ILC, Theagarajan, General Secretary of UNI ILC, JSR Prasad, Director of UNIDOC, Karthik Shekar, General Secretary UNITES India, K K Gopkumar, President of UNITES Kerala, Ajith Sawanth, President BITEC Maharastra, Anjali Bedekar, UNI ILC Coordinator, and Rajendra Archaya, UNI Apro Director for Trade Union Development Activities; for the creation of NCU, and paid a special tribute to, K C Sharan, former Director for SASK Finland South Asia office for all the mentoring to the team for the success.

“They were blessed to be supported by UNI affiliate in Finland, PAM and their partner SASK Finland - a solidarity support organisation that provided not only financial support but also continuous guidance and inspirational support. UNI Apro deem it a privilege to be closely associated with the project since the very beginning, providing support in every way and of any kinds, necessary to maintain the smooth and effective implementation of the project” UNI Apro Regional Secretary highlighted in his inaugural address to the conference.

The event was a great success. More than 300 unionists gathered at the historic event. Both the Minister of Labour and Employment and the Chief Post Master General (CPMG) praised the establishment of NCU and welcome their contributions to the development of the IT Sector and protection of the IT Professionals rights and socio economic interest.

“Exploitation of IT enabled services employees will not be allowed; payment of attractive salaries alone is not sufficient to sustain the industry, rights of the IT employees need to be guaranteed, conducive working environment for better health and safety of employees is essential;” assured Honourable Sri Bandaru Dattatreya Minister of State for Labour & Employment, acknowledging the contributions of ITES employees to the extent of 6% GDP.

New Vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is “Digital and Skill India” to steer development and growth in the economy.  Towards realisation of this vision; The Minister stressed that there is a need to educate both employers’ employees and their trade unions the importance of harmonious relations in IT industry.  The Minister commended the social partnership industrial relations propagated by UNI Apro as the way forward to create a conducive and productive atmosphere to the grow the ITES industry in India to create more jobs with decents terms and conditions of employment . The Minister appreciated the efforts and congratulated Christopher Ng Regional Secretary of UNI Apro for uniting the employees- a challenging task- to form a national confederation representing IT employees’ trade unions in six states in India.

For the first time India Post issued a first day cover to commemorate the founding of a trade union. It was also approved in record two weeks’ time. In accordance to regulation, it will require 2 years to approve the application for the first day cover said; Sri  B V Sudhakar Chief Post Master General Andhra and Telegana.  He presented  the first day covers to Honourable Minister Sri Bandaru Dattatreya and to Mr Christopher Ng.

Hon. Dr G Sanjeeva Reddy President of INTUC and ITUC Asia Pacific, Bro Mohamed Shafie BP Mamal, President of UNI Malaysian Labour Centre graced the founding conference and extended greetings and best wishes to the New Confederation. 

The Conference adopted the NCU India Constitutions and adopted a number of resolutions, expressing gratitude to SASK Finland, PAM Finland and UNI Apro for sustained support. The Conference also records its deepest appreciation to  K C Sharan and Christopher Ng for their unstinted and committed support and invaluable guidance. The Conference endorsed the UNI Apro social partnership industrial relations framework and call upon the employers and NASSCOM in particular to work in partnership with NCU India to grow the IT and ITES Sectors and create more and better jobs.

The Conference unanimously elected Sri J S R Prasad as President and Sri Karthik Shekar as the General Secretary together with an executive committee representing the affiliated unions in six states namely Andhra, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Telegana.