Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Jun 21: District Beedi Workers Federation here held the inaugural of the upcoming convention of the Beedi workers Federation at Sri Narayanaguru Hall, Bannanje on Tuesday, June 20.
The massive convention will be held on June 24 and 25.
Muzub, the state's chief secretary of Karnataka Beedi Labourers Union, speaking on occasion said, "These days, India is facing difficulties. There are 10 lac workers depending on beedi rolling for their livelihood. A highest number of beedi workers are in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada district. The current government is harassing the Beedi workers, and capitalists are occupying their place."
He further said, "The central government banned the smoking of beedi, and started the prohibition drive everywhere without providing any other substitute to the boodi worker's job. The workers are not getting the dearness allowance mentioned in the Minimum Wages Act -2015. People are facing a problem with the price hike. The state government has increased the price on various commodities.
The central government is providing crore of rupees as rehabilitation fund for tobacco growers. But there are 1.5 crore Beedi labourers. These will come to street of there is no alternate plans for their survival. The concerned department turned a deaf to the problems of Beedi workers. They should not act irresponsibly. Most of the constitutional acts were framed in favour of the owners. Code of Minimum wage says the issue of wages should be sort out between employers and employees," added Muzub.
"The wage is fixed according to ones code of conduct, but it gets enforced through the owners. The government does not confirm anything about a Minimum wage dispute settlement authority being in place to tackle the problem. If the working class candidates had gotten political representation, the problem would have been solved. Communalism is another burning issue. It destroys public harmony and the social peace," he said.
Communalism is another burning issue. It destroys public harmony and the social peace," he said.
GST contention
"People believe that the Modi government will bring about a uniform system with the introduction of GST. But the bew system will only affect the middle class and poor. The central government has imposed 28% tax on Beedi traders. The government has no concern over poor society," Muzub pointed.
"The good days are coming to international level Corporate businessmen Vijaya Malya, Adani , Ambani and others," he concluded.
Balakrishna Shetty, treasurer, Karnataka State Beedi Labourers Federation, P Vishwanath Rai, district unit president, CITU, K Shankar, district unit secretary, CITU, Balakrishna Shetty, Mahabala Vadera Hobali, K Laxman, district Beedi Labourers federation were present at the inaugural.