Mangalore : H. V. Anantha Subba Rao, the secretary of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), state unit, said that the government is encouraging poverty by encouraging privatization.

He was addressing the gathering at a program organized by the Beedi and Tobacco Labour Union of Mangalore as part of its 76th anniversary at Town Hall on May 2, Wedneday.

Mr. Rao said that privatization leads to such economic disasters. Stating that the economy survives because of the public sector, he said that the government’s move toward privatization will lead to rise in poverty in the country.

Alleging that the government is least bothered about the working class, Mr. Rao said that no government has succeeded in implementing the minimum coolie rules although they were introduced in 1996.

Mr. Rao also urged the government to provide the working classes with basic facilities such as ESI, education for the children, provident fund, and others.