|
|
|
|
Background of FMRAIFMRAI was first formed at Hyderabad in 1962 where it aimed to improve living conditions of the Medical Representatives. It has traveled a long way in building itself as real trade union body. Form the idea that the medical representatives are not workers but somewhat like managers to demand and agitate for recognition as workmen took almost a decade. The management of the pharmaceuticals industry always isolated the medical representatives from the other workers in the factory and office. There was inhibition from the medical representatives also to consider themselves as a workman. It
was found that the services of the medical representatives (popularly known as
field workers) were not regulated under any law. Whenever any attempt of
organising was made, the employers used to embark upon them with all kinds of
attack. Termination of services particularly those of the leaders was a regular
phenomenon. FMRAI demanded of the Govt. to recognise the medical representatives
as workmen by clearly defining in the Trade Union Act. It was a lengthy
struggle. In 1976 when the democracy of the country was shadowed under state of
emergency, a law was enacted as Sales Promotion Employees’ (Conditions of
Service) Act which was applicable to those medical representatives whose monthly
earning was only Rs.650 per month. This deprived a vast number of medical
representatives out of the purview of the Act. FMRAI demanded the Govt. to
remove the wage ceiling from the Act. Meanwhile, FMRAI in its conference in 1978
included sales representatives of other industries also and demanded the Govt.
to extend the benefit of the Act to sales representatives of all industries. In
pursuance of these demands FMRAI staged nation wide agitation and several
rallies were staged before the Parliament at New Delhi. The
Govt. ultimately removed the salary ceiling for the Medical and Sales
Representatives who are legally known as Sales Promotion Employees. But the
Govt. agreed to extend the benefit of the law only for 11 industries which FMRAI
did not agree. FMRAI
formulated a 27 point common charter of demands which consists of not only
extension of benefits of all labour laws for the field workers but also demands
for the people on medicines. Nearly
40 large companies including multinational drug companies have recognised FMRAI
as trade union for their field workers and regularly signs wage agreement.
Regular meeting on day to day grievances of the field workers is also held with
these companies. In regional level, some smaller companies also recognise FMRAI
through its Zonal Committees. FMRAI
has become the only national organisation for the field workers in the country
having functioning centres known as local units in 300 cities and towns of the
country. Its membership has reached nearly 40,000. FMRAI associates its
activities with several central trade unions of the country and its members
participate to the national programme when jointly called by the central trade
unions. FMRAI
has also joined All India People’s Science Network (AIPSN) which is a national
organisation for science movement. AIPSN actively work in the areas of health
and pharmaceuticals. Jointly with AIPSN and with its own initiative, FMRAI has
campaigned for a Rational Drug Policy. FMRAI is considered as an important
policy critic on Pharmaceuticals Policy of the Govt. FMRAI in the sates actively
worked with health action groups and local branches of Indian Medical
Association, convened seminars, conventions and other campaigned in different
occasions. FMRAI also held number of national seminars at New Delhi along with
doctors, scientists, and economists. FMRAI has several publications on the
health and drug situation of India. It is the only national trade union which
observed nation wide strike against attempt of changing the patents act. FMRAI
publishes its organ ‘FMRAI News’ every month which has a circulation of
25,000 each issues. As
the only functioning national federation of the pharmaceutical industry FMRAI is
strongly fighting against the effects of Globalisation. AIMS of FMRAIFMRAI
is the only national trade union of the Medical and Sales Representatives in
India having its affiliates in each states of the country and offices in 300
cities and towns. FMRAI
is an omnibus organisation of all field workers of nearly all companies having
marketing activity. But for many companies FMRAI function as union of the field
workers with individual companies. FMRAI
aims to mobilise company wise field workers to protect their trade union rights.
It aims to earn recognition of various companies in all industries to improve
working and service conditions. It also tries to develop grievance committee in
all companies so that through bilateral discussion, problems in day to day work
could be resolved. FMRAI
through national movement and local mobilisation always resist victimisation of
the field workers. Unjust actions of the management like termination of service
transfer to far distance places, stopping of wages and expenses, etc. are always
fought by the organisation. FMRAI
also mobilise its members for change in the labour laws like extension of
minimum wages, determining the statutory work rules, bonus and gratuity to all. FMRAI
demands and agitate for strict implementation of Sales Promotion Employee’
(Conditions of Service) Act for all. This is a specific Act created to regulate
service conditions, leave rules, etc. for the field workers. FMRAI
campaigns and agitate for strengthening of the Public Sector Drug companies.
FMRAI is also a constituent of the Committee for Public Sector Trade Unions. FMRAI
is also a constituent of National Platform of Mass Organisations which is a
national organisation of several large trade union federations. It is fighting
for resisting the ills of globalisation and liberalisation policy framed under
the dictate of World Bank and IMF. FMRAI,
since a long time have been campaigning for a Rational Drug Policy and access of
essential medicines for people. It has also worked with the national
pharmaceutical companies to resist the changes in the Indian Patents Act, 1970
to defend the self reliance in drug industry. FMRAI has also worked with the
organisations in the science movement for self reliance and for reduction of
drug prices. FMRAI
campaigns for national integrity and defends secularism. Every year on 2nd
March it observes nation wide national integrity and unity day. This
organisation also fights against war, imperialism and terrorism. Contact Information
|
|
Send mail to fmrai@ittown.com with
questions or comments about this web site.
|
