Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (EP)
Mangalore, Dec 7: The All India Workers' Union has released a circular to the press threatening to go on protest in support of several of their demands.
Their demands include security to ESIC, a hospital for Beedi workers, honorarium of Rs 6,000 to grama panchayat members, disciplinary action against ESIC official who has served notice to New Vishwa Bhavan hotel owners, title deeds for occupants of land at Ullal, Permannur and Thodthala etc.
The Union has demanded that the insurance schemes started for the workers in the state be extended to all the villages in the Dakshina Kannada district covering the requirements of the family of the workers. A labor officer should be appointed in each village in order to secure wages and jobs. Panchayat officers should be suggested to ensure the welfare of the workers while issuing trade licenses. A dispensary should be started at each village and a hospital should be opened for the workers in Mangalore. The amount of Rs 250 paid to the grama panchayat members at present should be increased to Rs 6,000 to put an end to corruption in the department.
The Union decried the notice issued to the Vishwabhavan Hotel owners by the ESIC public grievance officer, Bangalore and demanded for an enquiry. Occupants of land at Ullal, Permannur and Thodthala should be issued title deeds.
The Union has stated that a petition will be submitted to the assistant labour officer on December 6 through the deputy commissioner condemning attempts to suppress the struggle of the workers. A campaign of letters will be set in motion on December 6 and workers from all over the villages in Dakshina Kannada will protest submitting a petition giving three months time. They stated that “We condemn the policy of the government suppressing the demands of the workers or ignoring them. The protest will be against the government which has failed to provide security of job and wages, ignoring the complaints regarding Adani Vilmas, Baikampady; Hindustan Uniliver Limited, Boloor and Big bags Industries, Ganjimut.
If our demands are ignored, a padayatre will be held on May 1, 2014 from the Office of the Commissioner of Mangalore to the Karmikara Bhavana, Bangalore followed by a Dharani.”