Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (AF), Pic- Ganesh S Perla

Mangalore, Feb 6: Bidi workers across the state heaved a big sigh of relief with the row on dearness allowance (DA) being finally settled.

Addressing press persons here on Monday February 5, state Bidi Workers Federation president B Madhava said that the workers will be paid a one-time settlement amount of Rs 4,500 as dearness allowance.

The meeting was held between workers, management and labour commissioner last week in Bangalore.

Elaborating the details of the meet, he said that the new decision will be enforced from April 1 and the DA will be handed over to the workers by June 30 this year. As many as 11 bidi manufacturing industries signed the agreement.

According to the agreement, the arrears to be paid will be Rs 120 per year for the work done between 1997-98 and 2001-02, Rs 1000 for 2002-03, Rs 1,200 for 2003-04, Rs 1,300 for 2004-05 and Rs 400 till October 5, 2006.

Together with the DA, the minimum wage was also fixed at Rs 60 per thousand bidis rolled. So far the wage was Rs 55.25 and owners were found to be violating the same by paying only Rs 40 for every thousand bidis rolled.

Among those present were KSBWF district president K R Shriyan, secretary Vasant Achary, J Balakrishna Shetty and Sukumar.