Beedi Workers’ Federation stage protest; Demand minimum wage

• Wage of Rs 350 for rolling 1,000 Beedis demanded

Udupi: A protest was staged by the members of district Beedi Workers’ Federation, under the aegis of CITU demanding minimum wages, provident Fund facility and other benefits, in front of DC’s office in Manipal on Saturday August 18^th.

A protest rally comprising of hundreds of beedi workers, protesting against the government’s negligence, and passive attitude of Beedi company owners was taken from Tiger Circle to the DC’s office in Manipal.

The protesters urged the government to provide BPL cards and free housing for Beedi workers. They also demanded a wage of Rs 350 for rolling 1,000 Beedis.

Mr. Mahabala Vadera, who is the president of Udupi district Beedi Workers’ Federation said that  the Central government has been planning to completely ban tobacco products by 2020. If this plan is realised, the Beedi industry will be completely shut down. Therefore it is necessary that the government provides an alternate arrangement for the Beedi workers, who are solely dependent on working in Beedi factory. Beedi industry should not be closed without providing proper jobs to Beedi workers, he said.

“These workers are facing several hardships and also do not have proper job security. All these people will lose their jobs if tobacco is banned totally,” he said expressing concern that around three crore people throughout the country involved in the tobacco industry, would lose their jobs.

Beedi companies have not been provided with minimum wages to Beedi workers despite the state government orders. Welfare schemes are not made accessible to Beedi workers even though the workers have been contributing to the Provident Fund, observed Mr. Mahabala.