Udupi: CITU Takes up Cudgels on Behalf of Unorganized Labour

Pics: Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Sep 15: The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) led the protestors and laid siege to the office of the deputy commissioner of the district here on Tuesday September 15, demanding better treatment and facilities for the unorganized workers like the daily wagers, those working on contractor basis, against payment of honorarium etc.

A large number of workers belonging to these sectors took part in the protest. They were demanding for the meeting of at least some of their demands, which are basic essentials for a decent living.  They demanded for the fixation of a minimum monthly wages of Rs 6,000 per month for all categories of the workers all over the state. Pointing out that expenditure of residence, like rent, has been taking away a big chunk of their earnings, they demanded that house sites be allotted to the unorganized labourers in the state.  The other demands put forth by them included issuance of ration cards to all of them, provision of 14 essential goods at a reasonable rate through the fair price shops, abolition of the contract labour system and making the services of the contract labourers permanent and to draw up plans to strictly monitor the enforcement of labour laws.

They wanted that the services of all the workers hired through the process of direct recruitment by the government, like the Anganwadi staff, those engaged with the ‘Akshara Dasoha’ scheme, people working in gram panchayats on temporary basis, volunteers under 'Asha' scheme and other daily wagers working for the government, be absorbed into regular service with immediate effect.

The leaders pointed out that the owners of industrial units have received government packages, after they ran into rough weather due to the global economic downturn. Pointing out that the people and labourers working for these units have also suffered, they demanded that these people too be adequately compensated. Bringing the unorganized sector within the ambit of social security, making issuance of identity card to all of them mandatory etc., were the other demands the protestors put forth.

CITU general secretary Vishwanath Rai, president K Shankar, leaders Mahabal Voderhobli, Ramesh Mendon, Dogu Suvarna, Das Bhandary, Vittal Poojary, Sanjeev Nayak, Rajiv Poojary etc., were present.  After the leaders addressed the protestors in front of the office of the deputy commissioner here, they were arrested by the policemen and released later.