Mangaluru: BMS stages protest seeking fulfilment of various demands of workers

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Aug 18, 2026: A large protest was held at Rajaji Park in Mangaluru on Tuesday under the leadership of the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), with workers raising several long-pending demands, including higher minimum wages and improved social security benefits.

One of the key demands was fixing the national minimum monthly wage at ₹30,000. Protesters also urged the government to raise the ESIC wage ceiling from the existing ₹21,000 to ₹42,000 and the EPF wage ceiling from ₹15,000 to ₹30,000.

They demanded immediate improvements to infrastructure and medical services at ESIC hospitals and sought an increase in the minimum pension under the EPS-95 scheme to ₹7,500, along with dearness allowance and comprehensive medical facilities.

The protesters also called for higher honorariums, social security coverage and retirement benefits for workers in various sectors, including ASHA workers, Anganwadi staff, Akshara Dasoha workers and National Health Mission employees.

BMS state vice-president Satish Shetty, district president Anil Kumar and general secretary Gopalakrishna were among those who participated in the protest.

A large number of ASHA workers, auto-rickshaw drivers and construction workers also took part in the demonstration.