Mixed response for labourers' strike in Chikkamagaluru

The nationwide strike call given by various trade unions evoked a mixed response in the city on Friday.

The members of the trade unions condemned the anti-labour policy of the government. Schools and colleges had declared a holiday in the district in view of the strike. However, AIT, DIET and a few residential schools functioned normally. A few hotels and business establishments remained closed. Banks, post and insurance offices remained closed.

Only a few KSRTC buses operated in the district and as a result, the KSRTC bus stand wore a deserted look. But the medical stores, hospitals, flower merchants, wineshops and petrol bunks remained open throughout the day.

The labourers working in various companies and coffee estates remained absent for work and participated in protest rally.

The bank, postal and insurance employees staged a protest staged against the anti-labour policies of the government.

Protest
The Joint Committee of Trade Unions staged a protest at Azad Park in the city.
The protest rally, which started from Hanumanthappa Circle, passed through M G Road and culminated at the Azad Circle.

Terming the labour policy of the Centre as a death knell on the labour class, AITUC district secretary Vijaykumar said Road Safety and Transport Bill 2016 is against the interest of the labour class. The government led by Narendra Modi is following anti-labour policy and has failed to protect the interest of the labourers. The anganwadi workers and Asha workers are paid honorarium instead of wages, they claimed.

Planters’ Workers Union president Abdul Jabbar said the government has failed to provide minimum basic facilities to the labourers.

South India Plantation Workers’ Association leader Shivananda Swamy accused the BJP government of following anti-labour policy. The labourers will teach a lesson to the BJP in the next election, if it fails to protect the labour class, he stated.

Pragathipara Karmika Sangha disrtrict president C K Ramesh urged the government to arrest the rise in price of essential commodities.