Mangalore : South Kanara Beedi workers federation in association with CITU stages a protest demanding early consideration of Beedi Workers in front of Pandeshwar post office on Feb 8, Tuesday.
Addressing the protestor’s B Madhava, president of All India Beedi Workers Federation said that the uniform minimum wages for beedi workers through the country to be Rs 1000 for rolling per thousand beedi linked with All India consumer Price Index at 3355 points (1960-100), plus 25 percent as per Supreme Court verdict.
He also said that wage should be strictly enforced. The wages should be progressively increased to reach the Need Based Minimum Wage as per the decision of the 15th Indian Labour Conference.
He urged the department to abolish contract and sub- contract system and deceptive forms of sales/ purchase relation and bring the workers under the principal employers.
Sufficient quantity of leaf and tobacco to be given to the Beedi to the Beedi rollers and a minimum of 26 days of work in a month with a minimum of 1000 beedies to be rolled per day.
Identity cards and log books top be given to all beedi workers including home based workers. All women workers to be given identity cards in their names, he said.
Various other demands were put forth on the occasion.
J Balakrishna Shetty, Sukumar, Babu Devadiga, Bharathi Bolar, Jayanthi Shetty, Sridhar and Vilasini were present.
Prior to the protest, the workers held a protest rally from Town Hall to Post Office.