Mangaluru: Pressing for better social security for tailors across the state, Karnataka State Tailors’ Association (KSTA) organised a massive protest outside Dc’s office on Tuesday, March 1 demanding continuation of the Provident Fund Scheme.
KSTA State President B Vasanth said that the organisation has demanded the state and the central governments to form ‘Tailors’ Provident Fund’, which would provide social security to the unorganised labourers working in tailoring sector.

“The state government has acted in favour of us and formed Unorganized Laborers Social Security Board, through which our demand for Provident Fund was met,” he said adding that the present central government had however not only ended the scheme by withholding the registration of new members from April 2015, but has brought in regulations, where in it compelled the members below 40 years of age to join the Atal pension scheme.

“Members above 40 years are withheld from joining this scheme,”” he alleged.

“In this scheme which is applicable to the unorganised labourers from 18 to 60 years of age, if a member deposits rupees 1200 per year (100 every month), state goverment will contribute Rs 1200 and Rs 1000 will be contributed by the central government,” he said.

There are about 10,000 tailors in Karnataka state who have enrolled in this scheme.