Mangalore: MLA and Deputy Speaker Yogish Bhat was gheraoed by the Beedi workers under the aegis of the South Kanara Beedi Workers’ Federation affiliated to the CITU on May 28, Monday demanding the immediate implementation of minimum wages for beedi workers, fixed by the labour department.

The agitators pointed out that the failure of the government to notify the hike in the wages in the state gazette has led to non-implementation of the revised wages which has been fixed at Rs 106 per 1000 beedies with a DA of Rs 10.20.

The agitators also submitted a memorandum to Yogish Bhat enlisting their demands. Though initially the agitators had planned to lay siege to the residence of the Deputy Speaker, the police prevented them from doing so. However, when Bhat himself came out of the house to meet them, the agitators gheraoed him.

Yogish Bhat who patiently heard the grievances of the worker s assured to do his best to fulfill their demands.

B Madhava, President of the Beedi Workers Federation, J Balakrishna Shetty, Secretary and others were present.