Mangalore : The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) has announced  a day long fast by Beedi workers all over India for 24 hours starting from 10.30 am on Tuesday, Nov.19, insisting on their charter of demands relating to minimum wages , bonus, and other daily requirements  at cheap rates be granted.

President K.R. Shriyan speaking at the rally informed the public that Beedi workers at large suffered high impletion and low earnings in their employment of Beedi making and Marketing.

He asked the govt. to raise the minimum wages of every Beedi worker to Rs.200 per 1 thousands Beedis. He also asked for competitive Dearness Allowances’ to go with the minimum wages as earnings of every Beedi worker. The charter of demands   add 7 more items.

Shriyan added that the Beedi workers families should be rescued from extinction. He led the procession of DK District Beedi workers from the Town hall to the DCO public rally site.

He was joined by B.M. Bhat, president of the federation, J. Balakrishna Shetty, General Secretary and Vasanth Achary and other leaders of several unions under CITU.

The strike of Beedi workers is continuing. The Beedi industry in the coastal district from Kasargod to Karwar as been steadily declining in its production and sale earnings as Tobaco and Beedis’ smoking is ruled out by low in view of public health and better conditions of life, while drinking wines as not been ruled out.