New society to look after syces’ welfare
Seeking a permanent solution to the long-standing syces’ issue, the trainers, owners and racing patrons at the Bangalore Turf Club has jointly decided to form a society that will serve as the employers of the stable hands.
“The trainers, owners and racing patrons wanted a permanent solution to the problems regarding the wages of syces. So we have unanimously decided to form a society registered under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act,” said Bangalore Turf Club chairman Srinivasa Gowda on Friday.
“It will take three to four weeks to do all the paper work. We expect the registration work to start soon after the Indian Turf Invitation Cup on March 4,” Gowda told Deccan Herald.
The society will take care of all the financial needs of around 1000 stable hands at the BTC. “The syces, jemadars and farriers will benefit from forming a society. They will get the Provident Fund, ESI and other benefits,” pointed out Gowda.
Meanwhile, despite the shortage of syces, Friday’s races at the BTC went ahead without problems.
“The trainers and owners have hired stable hands from other racing clubs and stud farms to make up for the shortage of workers here,” Gowda said.
Syces had taken a violent path and created chaotic scenes at the BTC on February 15 leading to the cancellation of the races on February 17 and 18.
But the Turf Club, supported by the Karnataka Racing Owners and Association (KROA) and Karnataka Trainers Association (KTA) took a strong step forward to go ahead with the races this weekend and also to hold next month’s Golden Jubilee Indian Turf Invitation Cup.
