Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Feb 11: Outsourced drivers, watermen, loaders, cleaners, helpers, and UGD laborers employed by local bodies in Karnataka are set to go on strike starting February 13. Their primary demands include direct payment of salaries and the recruitment to fill vacant civic worker positions.

The strike will be observed in all district centers across the state. B K Annappa, convener of the coastal region of the Outsourced Employees' Association, stated, "On February 15, we will march towards the house of the CM with the slogan "Namma Nadige Mukhyamantri Mane Kadege."

Annappa emphasized, "A decision was made on July 1, 2022, in a meeting with the then CM to transition all outsourced workers to direct payment. However, due to the discriminatory policies of the officers, it has not been implemented. While 24,000 civic workers have been made permanent, 25,000 are still pending for permanent status. These are our main demands."

Vijay Bantwal, Kiran Moodbidri, and Purushotama were present at the announcement.