Pics: Umesh Marpalli

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Mar 21: Members of Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) and beedi workers staged a protest in front of Bharat Beedi Company, near Abharan road on Monday, March 20 demanding an increase in the dearness allowance (DA).

Addressing the protestors, CITU leader Vittal Poojary said, "Minister of State for Labour P T Parameshwar Naik sympathizing beedi company owners had sent a circular that the dearness allowance that had to be justifiably paid to the beedi workers need not be paid. According to the consumer index, the rate had increased on April 2015 to Rs 12.75 per thousand beedis".

"As a result, beedi workers did not get the increased dearness allowance amount from two years. A case had been filed at the Karnataka High Court. The court gave the verdict in favour of the beedi workers after the legal proceedings. According to verdict, allowance pending from January 2015 has to be released. A notice had been issued through the beedi federation notifying the beedi company owners to release the amount, but there is no sign of the pending allowance till now." he added.

A procession from clock tower, Udupi to Bharat Beedi company office was carried out as part of the protest demanding the release of pending dearness allowance from the past two years.

CITU members and others were present.