Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (BG)
 
Mangalore, Jan 6: "The South Canara Udupi District Bidi Contractors Union, Hind Mazdoor Sangh (HMS) and Karavali District Bidi Contractors Association have been in a battle with a Gujarat-based bidi manufacturing company, which has now promised to meet our demands for better quality of bidi leaves," said Mohammed Rafi, secretary of the association, addressing the media at Hotel Woodlands on Monday January 6.

Prabhudas and Kishoredas Tobacco Products’ 'Telephone Bidi' is a Gujarat-based bidi company and has branches in Mangalore and DK district as well. These factories have been hiring labourers on a contract basis, and the total average outcome expected from the contractors is 1 lac bidis from 50 kg leaves, which means 2,000 bidis per kg of leaves.
 
"But the fact is that the labourers are able to manufacture only 1,600 bidis per kg of leaves as the quality of the leaves supplied by the company is too poor and the wastage is more. Likewise, the thread and tobacco supplied are also of low quality. The company supplies low quality raw materials and expects top quality and quantity from the contractors, which we are unable to give," he said.
 
"Hence, we had set forth our demands and protested in front of the bidi office. The officers of the company and the labour commissioner held a discussion in the presence of the union representatives and decided to give 52 kg of leaves rather than 50 kg and also the best quality of raw materials will be provided. This victory is due to the fight and protests of the union," added Rafi.
 
"Another problem faced in recent days is that one of the well-known bidi firms in Mangalore, Bharat Bidi Works cut down on bidi work by 32 percent last year and again in recent days they have brought it down by 10 percent. This is a major loss to bidi workers and the contractors, especially those who are dependent on bidi work for their livelihood," he added.
 
"On questioning, the company representatives have said the bidis manufactured in Mangalore have too many defects and hence they are hiring from neighboring states. But the fact is that in Andhra Pradesh the manufacturing expense for 1,000 bidis is Rs 60 to Rs 65, but in Mangalore its Rs 129, so with a view to extra profit, the company has tried to outsource the bidis, and are now trying escape by saying that the bidis manufactured in Mangalore are defective, whereas this is not the case," he alleged.
 
"Once the MD of Bharath Bidis comes to Mangalore, we will approach him and put forth our demands, failure to address which will lead to a massive protest in front of the head office," he warned.
 
Office-bearers M Sureshchandra Shetty, S Aliyabba, Dejappa Poojary, Avinash Malli, Krishna Rai, Mohammed, Rafiq Yedapadavu, Babu Shetty, and Raghunath Ullal were present.