Construction workers demand facilities from government

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 construction workers, in front of the Assistant Labour Commissioner’s office here, on Monday.

Addressing the protestors, Organisation State President Ramakrishna Poonja said that there are more than three lakh construction labourers in the state.

However, the Workers’ Welfare Board, which was formed in 2006- 07 has failed to fulfill their demands.

“We are not for or against any political party or leader, but we will not allow them swindle our money. If we don’t get justice, we will call for Dakshina Kannada bandh in the coming days,” he warned.

Mazdoor Sangha district President K Vishwanath Shetty alleged that the State government had tried to dissolve Workers’ Welfare Board and use Rs 880 crore for some other purpose.

The State government has neglected the welfare of construction workers.

“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. 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,” he said.

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 processing it.

The officials from central office has recently ordered that assistance can be given to beneficiaries under six categories in the district office itself.

This would accelerate the process of disposing the applications, he said.