Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (NR) - pic - Dayanand Kukkaje

Mangalore, Aug 9: A demonstration was held in the city by the Centre for Indian Trade Unions (CITU) here, on Wednesday August 8, demanding implementation of a central legislation for unorganized workers.

The state president of the CITU, B Madhava while addressing the demonstrators informed that there were in all around 37 crore workers in the unorganized sector. While the organized labor enjoyed all kinds of social benefits the unorganized workers were deprived of the same. However, although their living conditions were abject and they lived below the poverty line, yet they were contributing about 65 percent of the GDP(Gross Domestic Product) of the economy. Hence their contribution has become significant to our growing economy, Madhava added.

Madhava further opined that at this point in time when the Indian economy was poised to make a quantum leap, the government should honour its commitment to the unorganized sector by enacting a legislation (favoring unorganized sector). By doing so the government can make a note of the problems faced by the unorganized workers, he stated.

District president of the CITU K.R.Sriyan on this occasion pointed out that the UPA government in the Centre should not forget that it was in existence due to the support of left parties and therefore felt that the government should consult the trade unions before taking steps to enact legislation on unorganized sector workers.

The demonstration was attended in large numbers by workers from tile factories, cashew factories, beedi labourers and members of the various unorganized sector worker associations and unions.