Mangaluru: Alleging injustice by the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) office with regard to availing provident funds, hundreds of beedi workers staged a protest under the aegis of Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS) in front of the PF office at Highland on Tuesday, September 24.

Karnataka Karavali Beedi Workers Association district president Mohammed Rafi alleged that the PF officials were mentally harassing the beedi workers. “The officials in the PF office are denying PF to the beedi workers by citing silly reasons. If there are mistakes in the worker’s date of birth, he or she is sent to the schools or DDPI office to rectify them. Even if there are no mistakes, the officials either deny the release of funds or delay the payment,” he alleged.

Protesters have made several demands, including corrections as per the Aadhaar card, stop asking unnecessary details etc.

Association honorary president M Sureshchandra Shetty, general secretary Hareesh K S, vice president Bhavani, organising secretary Namratha, treasurer P H Mohammed, joint secretaries Girija and Padmavathi were present.