Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, May 1: May Day, which is celebrated every year in memory of labour unity and movement, is observed all over the world. However, this year the life of labourers is in dire straits due to the coronavirus lockdown throughout the country.

In the district of Dakshina Kannada, all the small, medium and large scale industries have closed due to the lockdown. Fishing, beedi industry, private bus operators have stopped functioning. Most of the people working in these industries are from the coastal districts and some others from outstation states.

Most of the outstation labourers have gone to their native places. But those who work in industries are having a tough time as they do not have work. The owners of these industries who were already facing lot of uphill issues due to financial crunch in the country, are losing thousands of crores due to the lockdown.

According to the information shared by the Industrial Department of the state there are 2,507 industries depending on food and agricultural sector. Only food industries are functioning at present under lockdown.

More than 2 lac beedi workers of twin districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, who are working in unorganized sector are in distress. Though the government has declared some compensation to the labourers of the unorganized sector, it has not given any relief to beedi workers according to the information shared by V Seetharam Berinja chief secretary of S K Beedi Workers' federation.

Seetharam Berinja chief secretary of S K Beedi Workers' federation said, "Temporary compensation should be given to beedi workers till the lockdown ends instead of work. Kerala government has earmarked a package of around Rs 2 crore for beedi workers and has already deposited Rs 3,000 in their individual accounts. The Karnataka government should also follow this."