Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network-Udupi (HB)

Udupi, May 25: Beedi and Tobacco Labour union Udupi, Malpe & Kaup Beedi workers union and the member of CITU staged dharna in front of Tahsildar’s office Bannanje on Wednesday, May 25 demanding a substitute work before implementing Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Product Act (COTPA).

Addressing the protesters, CITU convener, Balakrishna Shetty said, “The government should introduce a substitute work for beedi workers before passing COTPA.” 

“The government is trying to snatch away the livelihood from beedi workers and make them jobless permanently. Beedi companies do not lose anything but beedi works do. From the last 15 days, beedi workers are not getting work every day and lacs of them depend on beedi rolling.”

“Only 19% beedi products have proper label and many beedi brands without label are coming into market. Most of these beedi produced are without proper identity cards, log books and other mandatory facilities. Beedi workers are forcefully pushed into unorganized union where workers are ready to work with minimum wage.”

“The members of unions oppose Central government act that is ready to eliminate beedi works and move to amend the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Product Act (COTPA)."

The protesters also demanded to provide BPL cards to beedi workers’ family.

“The government should use Cess fund to the welfare of coolie workers and the central government should bear expenses of welfare board administration. They should increase amount of scholarship and make sure about EMI facility,” he added.

Sujatha Shetty, president, Beedi and Tobacco Labour Union Udupi, Umesh Kundar, secretary, Nalini, secretary of Malpe region union, Pushpa from Kaup region, Laxman K, secretary and others present.