Mangalore: Demands such as a minimum monthly payment of Rs.1,500 should be given to the DK Beedi workers, annual pension should be raised as per Price Rise Index, Capital repayment should be arranged, delaying policy on petitions should be rooted out and a demand for regional advisory committee appointment, were urged by the district Beedi workers on Tuesday in a public protest rally held at Highlands in front of Workers Provident Fund office, Falnir, Mangalore. The rally march started from the Balmatta circle near Jyoti Cinema.

The protest march leaders told the rally that although certain rules were framed to help unorganized labour among Beedi workers, they were denied in action, depriving Beedi workers what is their legal dues, as stated by H.V. Anantha Subba Rao one of the State Leaders of AITUC controlled by the Left parties.

The elected representatives of the voting people, such as MLAs in state and MPs in Delhi and politicians at large were having grand meals in their places while the Beedi workers went out on empty stomach, the Rally leaders pointed out in their address at Falnir Highlands.

There are workers from 1995, who on retirement received less than Rs.20 as pension. What will they do with it? As the salary dips, so the pension came down. Such a situation that does no good to anyone should be changed to bring in at least Rs.1,500 per month in the  old age of a struggling worker, the spokesmen said.

P. Sanjeeva, Kukyan,  S.C Anchan, M. Karunakar, S.V. Berinja, office-bearers and EC members were in the Rally. H.V. Anantha Subba Rao and P. Sadashiva Kukian were present as Cheerleaders. Several ladies attended the Rally.