'Centre neglecting welfare of working class'

On account of the second day of Bharat bandh observed by the trade unions, the Labourers Joint Action Committee took out a protest rally in Madikeri Chowki on Wednesday.

Addressing the protestors, committee district convener T P Ramesh said that the Central government has completely neglected the welfare of the labour class. The government policies have only benefited the businessmen and not the labourers, he added.

The contract workers are not being provided wages that they are eligible to receive. The Supreme Court order on minimum wages is not followed.

Committee leader E R Durgaprasad said that there are more contractual employees compared to permanent workers in the government departments in the state. Efforts made by the temporary workers to draw the attention of the government towards their problems have been futile. Many labourers are deprived of PF, ESI, identity card and job security and other benefits, he added.

Gram Panchayat Workers Association president P R Bharat alleged that 44 laws favouring the labourers have been amended by the Central government.

Protestors shouted slogans against the Central government.

INTUC leader Nagaraj, CITU district secretary H B Ramesh, AITUC district organiser Asha, District Hospital Cleanliness Workers Association president Janaki, Anganwadi Workers Association district president K P Kaveramma took part in the protest among others.