Madikeri: Akshara Dasoha (mid-day meal) workers have decided to stop cooking meals for the students and join protests called by the All India Road Transport Workers’ Union and others against the newly proposed Road Transport Safety Bill by the central government on September 2.

The bandh is called in protest against the bill which proposes hefty fine on traffic offenders and others. The union called the bill as “anti workers bill,” which by and large affects the daily chores of common man’s life, statement said. Other unions like goods and public transport, auto-rickshaw drivers’ associations, private transport unions and others too have extended their support for the bandh.

Addressing a press meet, CITU district secretary Kusuma said, “Those who are working for Akshara dasoha programme have been facing numerous problems. Hence in order to seek attention of the government we have decided to stop all the works and join protests.”

“These employees work from 9 am to 3 pm but are paid only Rs 2000. Now they have burden of Ksheera Bhagya scheme too. We face lot of pressure from SDMC, teachers and Cluster Resource Persons. We are also targeted for misuse of ration items. They have decided to drop those who work from 14 years by appointing one cook for 26 students each, which is condemnable. Even the employees do not get medical aid if they get injured during their work. Even if they are assigned additional work, they do not pay extra. Even the principal interferes in the employees work.” she added.

“Hence we need minimum wages and we will put forth all our demands during the protest. As many as 1044 workers from 510 schools will stop their work and join the nationwide protests,” she said.

Other demands

*Stop punishing employees on the basis of attendance
*Allowance for mid-day meal workers
*Equal pay for equal work
*Maternity leave and allowance