Belthangady: Highway workers protest against contractor company over salary delays

Belthangady: Workers hired by a contractor involved in the highway development work from Punjalkatte to Charmadi on National Highway 73 protested on August 5 against the company for not paying their salaries for three months.

Due to the rains, the road condition has severely deteriorated, causing significant difficulties for riders since the monsoon season began.

The workers said that despite working to repair the road for three months, the contractor company has not paid the workers’ salaries.

Each worker is owed between Rs. 35,000 to Rs. 60,000, but none have received their salaries yet. The workers’ families are struggling without food, and they lack basic necessities. They accused the company of forcing them to work under pressure without pay.

Initially, there were 3,000 workers, but currently, only around 150 remain, they added.

The workers have urged the state government and district authorities to intervene and save their families, stating that they have been away from home for months. They emphasize that their fight is not against the contractors but solely for their rightful salaries. They have vowed to continue the strike until their demands are met, asking the district authorities to visit the site and address the issue.

Last week, the workers had also protested, and a compromise was reached. However, the workers are now frustrated again due to the continued delay in salary payments.

A complaint has been filed with the Beltangady police station, and the police have visited the site.