Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Jun 9: Members of Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) carried out a protest against the anti-labour policies of the central and state governments on Monday June 9 at DC office Rajathadri, Manipal.

CITU secretary Balakrishna Shetty in his address stated that both the central and state governments have withheld the rights of the working class ever since the time the liberalization policy was introduced in the nation. By condemning the discrimination in the wage system he said, graduates are earning less wages for their livelihood and not one labour law has been effectively implemented in the country.

He further said, “If the ‘labour code on wages’  is implemented in the country the working class will suffer in obtaining their fundamental rights and  the code will create problems. The central government has reduced the fund amount for the welfare projects. The number of reservation seats have been increased from 20 to 50 in the name of contract labour system. The central government is trying to impose a ban on ESI facility by introducing foreign direct investment policy.

Supporters of CITU alleged that the employees’ provident fund is getting diverted to the share market. The demands of the CITU members are control over price hike for goods and services, ‘equal wage for equal work’ act to be implemented and to fix a minimum wage of Rs 15, 000. Both governments must fulfil their 12 genuine demands including ordinance on land acquisition act.

The CITU members K Laxman, Rama Karkada, Kaviraja S Nalini, H Narasimha, Suresh Kallagar and others participated in the protest.