‘Online PF transaction bodes ill for beedi workers’

Udupi taluk beedi workers, under the banner of All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), staged a dharna to protest against the online system of submitting applications for PF (Provident Fund) withdrawal and PF advances near Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), regional office.

CPI district secretary V Kukyan addressed the activists and warned that many beedi workers, who are not internet-savvy, will face problems with the online system. He said the poor will have to bear the brunt as the government order insists that the application for PF withdrawal and PF advances must be processed online.

As beedi rolling is outsourced by beedi companies, beedi workers are finding it difficult to update the Know Your Customer (KYC) of the worker. As most beedi workers do not know how to use internet, computers and mobile phones, they will surely be denied their benefits. He urged the government to provide ample time to beedi workers in order to update their KYC.

Beedi workers should not be harassed and the dues should be released to them without any delay, he said. V Sitharam Berinja from AITUC alleged that the Centre is not in favour of the working class people. The policies of the Centre favours the corporate class but is causing problems for the poor. A memorandum addressed to the Union Labour Minister was submitted to Assistant PF Commissioner of Udupi.