Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, May 2: The city's diocese and labour's commission observed Labour’s Day in collaboration with district labour department at Bishop’s auditorium, Mother of Sorrows Church, here on Sunday May 1.
After the inauguration, MLC Ivan D’Souza said, "There is need to create awareness among workers about their rights. Labours’ day came to practice after the Chicago convention. Each individual is a worker in different ways. There is a huge gap between owners and workers. Every worker works to earn his daily bread.
He further added, most of the labour rules are not in favour of the labourers or working class. Nearly 93% of unorganized labourers have been working in India; the remaining 7% are organized workers enjoying government benefits, which are announced in the budget. The unorganized workers do not have a secure job.
Touching upon the problems of beedi workers he said, "The government will now impose a ban on beedi rolling, but where will the beedi rollers get their food from? The state government must think of generating substitute jobs for beedi workers and it is very essential. He stressed on the formation of a committee at state level. Nearly 4000 employees are employed at a garment factory. The MLC has also raised this concern at the council meeting.
The chief minister must address the problems of the beedi workers’ with the textile minister.
The concept of organized labour has dominated other jobs and the concept of outsourcing has become a fashion.
He referred to the recent issue of garment workers’ mass protest which was held at Bengaluru recently. A leader is not necessary at the time when workers are frustrated by the government policies. Government rules should be in favour of the workers and not the capitalist.
Condemning the central government norms, he said, nowadays the government is showing more interest towards the market, while giving least priority in the fulfillment of workers’ demands. The money of the poor should not be utilized for the development of trade or market, instead it should be utilized for their welfare.
The programme began with the invocation by Fr Herald Periera. Vicar general Msgr Baptist Menezes delivered the keynote.
The inaugurator Ivan D’Souza distributed cards to the workers on the occasion.
Elray Kiran Crasta welcomed the gathering.
K H Jeevan Kumar gave information on workers’ rights and programmes, which have been provided by the government.
Bishop Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo presided over the programme.
Veronica Cornelio, chairman, Karnataka State Soap and Detergent Commission, S S Ramamurthy, district labour superintendent, labour department Udupi were the chief guests of the programme.
Fr Clement Mascarenhas, Magdalin Mathias, Valerian Fernandes, Joseph Fernandes, William Machado and others were present.
There was an interactive session organized by the labour department to mark Labours’ Day.
Ronald Menezes proposed the vote of thanks.
Joseph Rebello compered the whole programme.