Migrant building labourers demand their basic needs

Migrant building labourers demand their basic needs

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, July 22, 2014: Dakshina Kannada and Udupi district unit of Karnataka Building and other Construction Workers Mazdoor Sangha staged a demonstration demanding the implementation of various facilities promised by the government to the labourers, in front of the Assistant Labour Commissioner’s office July 21, as per programme reported here.

 

 

 

 

Addressing the agitation, State President Ramakrishna Poonja said that there are more than three lakh migrant construction labourers in the state who live by hard work carrying their needs in old cement bags and are neglected. The Workers’ Welfare Board, which was formed in 2006- 07 has failed to fulfill their basic demands. “We are not for or against any political party or leader, but we will not allow any one to cheat and deprive us of our rights. If we don’t get justice, we will call for Dakshina Kannada bandh in the coming days,” he thundered.

Mazdoor Sangha district President K Vishwanath Shetty alleged that the State government had tried to scuttle Workers’ Welfare Board and divert Rs 880 crore else where. The State government has neglected the basic welfare of construction workers drastically.

“The children are not getting scholarships for continuing their studies. The board is not reimbursing the hospital bills of the workers. Though there is Rs 2,960 crore under welfare fund, the retired workers are not getting pension of Rs 500. Applications submitted seeking government aid for the wedding of workers’ children are pending for the last several years. The family of workers who die while at work do not get compensation as promised by the government.” he informed.

District Assistance Labour Commissioner Nagesh said that financial assistance is given under 10 different categories for the construction workers. In Dakshina Kannada, the labour department has received around 2,000 applications for aid this year and few applications have been sent to central office for consideration. The officials from central office  recently ordered that assistance can be given to beneficiaries under six categories in the district. This would accelerate the process of disposing the applications, he stated. The labour leaders are of the view that the immediate legitimate demands must be disbursed without undue red tape and delays.