JOIN USUnity call for working class
Speaking at the seventh May Day celebration at District Paint Workers Association here on Saturday, the MLA noted that working class had been at the receiving end for a long time and that both State and Union governments were not doing much for their welfare. “It is lamentable that no permanent scheme for the benefit of the labourers has been framed so far,” he stated.
Varthur said the initial premium towards insurance cover for paint workers will be paid to 200 workers and they would be provided employment in the development work to be taken up by the City Municipality in future.
BGML Workers Union president K Rajendran alleged that labour leaders were responsible for the closure of BGML. He accused them of attempting to create a rift amongst labourers and welcomed the decision of the Union government to re-open the BGML.
Labour leaders M Gopal, Pedduri Suri Ganesh, Zilla Panchayat member Balaji Chennaiah, Congress rural block president Begli Suryaprakash, City Municipal Council vice-president V K Rajesh, Basheer Ahmed and others were present.
Victimisation
Inaugurating the programme organised by KPTCL Employees’ Association, Varthur Prakash said that the management should provide compensation to employees who lose life while on emergency services.
Central Committee member of the Association, M Srinivas, alleged that some senior officers of Bescom treat workers as slaves. “Workers are transferred to far-off places if they do not perform the errands of the officers,” he complained. Srinivas said only a part of the compensation meant for workers were reaching them.
Contractors blamed
Speaking at a programme organised by Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Gandhinagar Narayanaswamy said workers need not commit suicide or be cowed down by “harassment” by superiors. He called upon workers to wage a united struggle seeking redress of their grievances. M G Prabhakar alleged charged contractors and the management of depriving the workers of their legitimate entitlements. He emphasised the imperative of workers acquiring knowledge of their rights and privileges.
District Three-Wheelers Drivers Association, Kolar Beedi Workers Welfare Society and Kolar Construction Workers Welfare Association had jointly organised a programme to celebrate May Day. Two porters - Sugnana Kumar and S Taj, and a traffic constable - B N Mehaboob were felicitated on the occasion. K V Suresh Kumar of Auto Drivers Association said auto drivers, hotel, garment workers and dhobis have been brought under the Unorganised Workers Welfare Board.
A convention to create awareness on the schemes formulated by the Board would soon be held, he said.
Pillars of economy
Speaking at May Day Celebrations organised by Samata Samudaya Samsthe at Chikkaballapur, legislator K P Bache Gowda said unorganised workers number large in the district and they should be brought under a common organisation. He said that society should provide ways and means for the welfare of the labour class.
Karnataka Vokkaligara Sangha treasurer Yaluvahalli N Ramesh said agricultural and industrial labourers were pillars of nation’s economy and society should strive to ensure better living conditions for both.
Sericulturists’ Welfare Association district convener Sonnegowda said the government should focus attention on the labourers engaged in sericulture.
He noted that the labourers in the field should be brought under an umbrella organisation. Municipal workers P C Ramesh and Gangadhar were felicitated on the occasion. Councillor B K Srinath, Circle inspector of police Shivakumar and others were present.
DH News Service
Komul contract worker ends life
A contract worker attached to packing division of Kolar-Chikkaballapur Milk Union committed suicide allegedly due to harassment by his superiors on Saturday morning.
Nagaraj was serving as operator in the packing division for the past 18 years. He had worked in the Friday night shift. He was found hanging by morning shift workers after they returned from breakfast around 8 on Saturday morning.
It is said that Nagaraj had written two letters blaming his superiors for his death. Inquiry officer Rajendra Kumar said a letter purported to have been written by Nagaraj has been found. However he refused the persons named in the letter. Rathnamma, the wife of Nagaraj has lodged a complaint against Shivareddy, Narayanaswamy and Muniyappa, he said.
The workers at the Union staged a dharna for a while demanding compensation for the family of Nagaraj, who ended life due to harassment by his superiors. Additional Superintendent of police, S R Phaneendra Singh visited the spot.