Pics: Nithin Pereira

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (NP)

Udupi, May 29: The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Udupi District Committee, staged a massive protest in front of the deputy commissioner’s office in Udupi on Friday as part of a state-wide agitation demanding revision of minimum wages, amendments to labour codes in Karnataka, and legislation to regularise non-permanent workers.

A memorandum was submitted to assistant commissioner Rashmi S R highlighting several demands related to workers’ welfare and labour rights.

Addressing the gathering, Suresh Kallagar said, “For more than one year, CITU has been continuously protesting and pressuring the government on the issue of minimum wages. Because of our struggle and protests, the government was finally forced to issue the notification. But still, the government has not taken a scientific decision in favour of workers. Even today, we are continuing our protest demanding a minimum wage of Rs 36,000. Workers should be able to provide good education, healthcare and a better future for their children and families. The government has fixed it at around Rs 25,000, but it has not accepted our full demand. Through today’s protest, we are submitting our demands to the District Commissioner so that they reach the state government. Our agitation will not stop until the government takes the right decision for working people. We need proper development and justice for labourers, and we will make this movement successful through united protests.”

CITU welcomed the Karnataka government’s recent final notification issued on May 22 regarding minimum wages, which introduced a uniform wage structure for many industries and reduced the number of wage zones from four to three. However, the organisation alleged that the revised wages do not meet the standards laid down by the Supreme Court in the historic Reptakos Brett case and are insufficient considering the present cost of living and inflation.

The union demanded that the state government scientifically revise the minimum wage and fix it at an average monthly salary of Rs 36,000 for all workers. CITU also urged the government to implement the revised wages retrospectively from April 11, 2025, the date on which the draft notification was issued, instead of May 22, 2026.

The organisation criticised the exclusion of 19 sectors, including garments, plantations, beedi, agarbathi and handloom industries, from the revised wage notification. According to CITU, this move would deprive a large number of women workers of wage benefits. The union demanded immediate extension of the revised minimum wages to these sectors as well.

CITU further appealed to the government to strictly implement the revised wage order without succumbing to pressure from employers. The protest also opposed the implementation of the four labour codes introduced by the Central Government after replacing 29 labour laws. CITU alleged that the labour codes would weaken workers’ rights and increase exploitation. The union demanded Karnataka-specific amendments in favour of workers before implementing the rules in the state.

The organisation also called for abolition of the contract labour system and enactment of legislation to regularise temporary, contract, trainee and fixed-term workers in both government and private sectors.

In a separate memorandum, the organisation urged the district administration to address the shortage of CNG gas in Udupi district. The union stated that auto-rickshaw drivers and private vehicle owners are facing severe inconvenience due to inadequate supply and the lack of sufficient CNG filling stations.

According to the memorandum, vehicle users are forced to travel nearly 50 kilometres and wait in queues for 8 to 10 hours to refill CNG. Auto drivers are reportedly spending working hours waiting outside fuel stations instead of operating services. CITU requested the District Collector to treat the issue seriously and take immediate steps to improve CNG supply and establish additional filling stations in the district.

Among the major demands raised during the protest were:

• Revision of minimum wages to Rs 36,000 per month.
• Regularisation of contract workers across all sectors.
• Increase in the ESI income eligibility limit from Rs 21,000 to Rs 36,000.
• Removal of the Rs 15,000 wage ceiling on employer contribution towards provident fund.
• Payment of pending wages to beedi workers and notification of revised wages for them.
• Withdrawal of labour code implementation in Karnataka.
• Release of gratuity for Anganwadi workers.
• Recognition of Akshara Dasoha workers as government employees.
• Distribution of welfare benefits announced for transport workers.

The memorandum was signed by CITU Udupi District Committee office-bearers, including president Shashidhar Golla, treasurer Kaviraj S Kanchan and general secretary Chandrashekar V.