Daijiworld Media Network—Udupi (HB)

Pics: Umesh Marpalli

Udupi, Jun 18: The members of the district unit of the building and construction workers’ association staged a protest in affiliation with CITU members on Wednesday June 17 near DC office Rajathadri, Manipal, seeking justice for their demands.

Addressing the protestors, honorary president of CITU Vishwanath Rai demanded immediate implementation of the Building and Construction Associations’ Welfare Boards Law of 1996 in every state of the country. He said that they should allow representation of CITU in BCWA Welfare Board. Rai furtherer demanded increase in facilities provided to the board’s beneficiaries.

The members of the association demanded that the monthly pension should be increased upto Rs 3,000 for beneficiaries. The eligibility for women beneficiaries should be fixed at 55 years. The board fund should not be used for construction of marriage halls and other buildings. The board should appoint staff to vacant posts immediately at its taluk and district-level offices.

The members further demanded prevention of the foreign direct capital investment system, need for immediate measures to control deflation of construction tools, and facilitation of free accommodation for labourers. The central government should introduce an integrated project for protecting the interests of construction workers.Prior to the protest, a rally was held from Tiger Circle to the DC office.

Secretary Vittal Poojary, Ganesh Naik, K Laxman, Rama Karkada, Dayanand, Vidyaraj, and Kaviraj participated in the protest.