Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS/SB)

Mangalore, Nov 23: Beedi workers in city took out a procession from Balmatta Shanthi Nilaya to PF office at highland to put forward their various demands including elimination of time delay involved in pension distribution. The protest was organized under the aegis of South Kanara Beedi Workers’ Federation, an affiliate of All India Trade Union Congress. As many as 1000 protestors took part in the procession.

The protestors’ demands include, to fix the minimum pension amount at the rate of Rs 1,500 per month, applicable to all the pensioners, to introduce the commutation benefit and return of capital benefit which existed earlier, to link the pension claims as per consumer price, to form regional advisory committee for each regional offices which include labour representatives and to settle the pension amount within one month when it becomes due so that the pensioner will not suffer due to delay among others.

Addressing the protesters AITUC state General Secretary HV Anantha Subba Rao came down at the state and central governments which are desecrate by scams. He added that the governments even failed to implement the schemes for the benefit of working class people.

SK Beedi Workers Federation president S Chandappa Anchan, Secretary VS Berinje and Treasurer M Karunakar among others were present.