Newskarnatka – Mangalore
Mangalore: The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) organized a protest and announced a day long fast for the welfare of the Beedi workers, in front of the DC office on Tuesday November 19.
An all India fast for 24 hours starting from 10.30 am onwards was conducted demanding a minimum wage of Rs 200 for every 1000 beedis rolled and keeping forth various other demands for the betterment of the Beedi workers.
The district president of CITU, KR Shriyan addressing the rally said, “Beedi workers at large suffered a lot of excretion in their work compared to earnings in their employment of Beedi making and marketing. I urge that the government must raise the minimum wages of every Beedi worker to Rs 200 per 1000 Beedis.”
CITU leader Ramani Moodabidri said that during elections, candidates make several promises to the Beedi workers and later suitably forget the labor class and stand by the industrialists.
In their demands, the protesters asked for fund from Beedi workers, scholarship to the children of Beedi workers till 8th standard, steps to bring all Beedi workers under BPL category, stop contract and sub-contract system, provide 6 days of guaranteed job for Beedi workers in a week, provide log book and ID card for Beedi workers, provide 35 kg rice at Rs 2 per kg and other such aspect to help uplift the Laborers community.