Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (GA) - pics - Dayanand Kukkaje

Mangalore, Jan 24: Hundreds of beedi workers took to streets pressing for the fulfillment of several demands on Wednesday January 24 morning.  The protest march was organized by S K Beedi Workers' Federation (AITUC).

The agitators appealed the government to amend the 'Labourers Pension Scheme-95' and increase the monthly pension to Rs 1,000.  "Right now most of us are being paid a pension of Rs 11 to Rs 75.  This should be increased at least to Rs 1,000," they demanded.

They also demanded to correct the birth date of a few labourers which has been mentioned wrongly.  "Whenever we go seeking certain benefits from the government offices, they ask us to produce birth certificate, TC or cumulative record.  When most of the beedi workers are illiterate how can they produce these records?" they questioned.

There was also demand from the agitators to provide them with Identity Card.  Though some of them have already been provided with ID's, at least 60% of the labourers have not yet received their ID card, they said.

Federation president Leelavati, treasurer P Sanjeev, general secretary B Shekhar, vice-presidents K Eshwar and Prema, Revati S, joint secretaries Suresh Kumar and Shobha and executive committee members led the protest.