Mangaluru: District in-charge minister Ramanath Rai has said that, the Congress is the only political party which has always supported labour unions.

After inaugurating the May Day celebrations and felicitation to senior workers today at Ravindra Kala Bhavana, Mangaluru, he said, “If any good schemes like insurance, pension, beedi workers fund and others were given for labourers, then that was by the Congress government. But, the present Central government is ruining all that good work by implementing new rules like new COTPA guidelines and new EPF rule.”

“The Congress government will always be with the workers, but I feel that the party has failed in informing the public what it has done for the labourers. Some of the capitalist political parties who spread communalism are trying to defame the Congress leaders. They are not bothered about workers. People should understand who is with the capitalists and who is with the poor,” he added.

He further said that, labour union should raise their voice for the welfare of unorganised workers and all facilities should reach them.

MLC Ivan D’Souza said that, labour unions should try to educate people about the government’s programmes. The protest against new EPF rule at Bengaluru showed how powerful and united workers are.

He continued saying that, the government should take care about 4 lakh beedi workers in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi. The government should invite garment factories from other states to set up their factories in every taluk of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, which can generate 25000 jobs in the district.

Thirty senior labourers were felicitated at the occasion.

Congress Interim President Ibrahim Kodijaal, Former Mayor Ashraf, District Congress Minority Unit president M S Mohammad and others were present.