Silvester D’Souza

Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)

Kundapur, Jan 8: There was lukewarm response in the city for the countywide protests on January 8 called against the central government’s alleged anti-people policies. The joint committee of the union of employees in Udupi had supported the protests held in participation of AITUC, CITU, Bank employees union, insurance company employees and BSNL employees union. Employees of those unions remained absent from work, but bus transport and business outlets performed as usual. Schools and colleges did not declare a holiday. Employees who took part in the protests did not resort to any violence. Shops and business establishments could not be forced to close. Union leader K Shanker said that they intend to bring their issues to the notice of state and central governments and urging for solutions.

Activists of labour organizations who supported the protests gathered at Kundapur at around 10 am and held a peaceful procession on the main road. They urged for a minimum salary of Rs 21 thousand per month, withdrawal of anti-labour policies, establishment of labour courts in all the districts, minimum pension of Rs ten thousand from the government, withdrawal of policies that lead to economic setback, security of jobs and income of the workers, creation of jobs, social security for unorganized workforce, government’s subsidy, statutory provident fund and pension, public ration, implementation of Dr Swaminathan report, cancellation of contract system of employment, equal pay for equal work, implementation of ILC decisions, to refrain from bank mergers, collection of toll only after completing highway work, sites for landless, protection of small farmers, title deeds for just price, supply of sand, the provident fund of building workers should not be transferred to the central government and other demands were urged for implementation.

Joint committee convener of labour organizations K Shanker and co-convener K V Bhat led the protests. Tight police security was arranged everywhere.