August 20, 2013
TO ALL MEMBERS
Friends,
As
you are aware that the meeting of GIPSA with checked-off Union/Association on
New Group Mediclaim Policy (GMC) was held as scheduled on 19th
instant at New Delhi. The joint meeting
with class-III Unions/Associations was presided by Mr. M. Parshad, Chief
Executive, GIPSA. GMPs of all the GIPSA
Companies were present in the meeting.
NFGIE was represented by the undersigned alongwith Mr. T. Gopal
Krishnan, Vice-President, NFGIE and General Secretary of GIC Employees’ Union,
AP & Vizag.
Initiating
the discussion spokesperson of GIPSA Mr. M. Parshad highlighted the positive
aspects of the proposed GMC which GIPSA intended to introduce from 01.07.2013
which was deferred due to the resistance from the most of the checked-off
unions/associations. The positive
aspects of the proposed GMC Policy as stated by GIPSA are benefit of Floater
Policy, waiving of pre-existing disease conditions, payment of ambulance
charges, medical Check-up facilities, premium sharing upto 75% by the Company
for Retired employees, cashless benefits through TPAs and few others. While opening up the discussion NFGIE
representative expressed displeasure for not calling all the checked-off
Unions/Associations irrespective of class in a joint meeting. It was also pointed out that though two
months back observations of NFGIE on the proposed GMC was submitted to GIPSA, they
are again asking opinion on the same. It
was clearly stated that Unions expected that GIPSA will come out with some
modifications/ improvements on the GMC.
It was again stressed the need for increasing “Eligible Sum Insured
Limit”, Option for changing Sum Insured at every renewal, Choice of
available optional sum insured in multiple of 1 lac, Waiving of “Cap on Room
and ICCU, CCU charges and other sub-limits. Free Medical check-up for each
member of the family irrespective of claim under the policy, improvement in the
maternity benefit cover and one more option for the left out retired employees
and lower sum insured for single member policy holder. Introduction of TPA was vehemently opposed
and reduction of the premium rate was demanded.
The rationale behind the high premium rate was asked to be explained. It was categorically stated, unless some
major improvement in respect of eligible sum insured, reduction in the premium
rate and discard of TPA is done, NFGIE will oppose the new Group Mediclaim
Policy. GIPSA expressed its opinion that
though the points raised by the
unions
are valid and it will be seriously looked into but at the same time it
expressed its inability for the cost factor.
It appears that GIPSA is willing to effect some minor changes
/improvements in respect of such as Removal on the cap on the Room Rent,
Waiving of TPA charges, Reduction of premium in very few cases, some changes in
the Maternity Benefit Cover, allowing option to change sum insured at every
option etc. It was demanded that before
finalization of the GMC Cover, GIPSA should inform the Union. It seems GIPSA is interested to introduce the
new scheme w.e.f. 1st October, 2013.
Friends,
a meeting of all the checked-off class-I Associations of the GIPSA companies,
GIEAIA and NFGIE was held on 19th afternoon at National Insurance
Co. Ltd.’s RO. Checked-off Unions of
class-II Officers of GIPSA companies could not attend the same meeting as they
were having meeting with GIPSA at that time.
Representatives of GIEAIA and NFGIE apprised the others about the
deliberations in the meeting of the morning session. It was also informed about the insistence by
AIIEA to introduce the new GMC Policy at the earliest. The checked-off class-I Associations are
scheduled to meet with GIPSA on 20th morning. It has been agreed in this joint meeting that
if GIPSA does not come out with some major improvements in the new policy an
endeavour will be made by all checked-off unions / associations to chalk out
some joint programme. For this purpose leaders of all the checked-off unions
will meet in Delhi on 26th or 27th August, 2013. Any further development in this regard will
be communicated to you.
Friends,
Com. S. N. Upadhyay, veteran leader of GIEAIA stressed the need to form a Joint
Committee of all Unions in line with Banking Sector to strengthen the
bargaining power to deal with the GIPSA on Wage Negotiation discussion which is
supposed to commence soon.
With
greetings,
Sd/-xx xx xx,
Sujit Bagchi
GENERAL SECRETARY
No comments:
Post a Comment