Meet on June 18 to discuss wage revision for garment workers: CM

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy has convened a meeting of representatives of Garment and Textile Workers Union (GATWU) and the manufacturers' association on June 18, to address the various problems faced by the garment workers, including their demand for wage revision.

Kumaraswamy who held a meeting with representatives of the workers union at his home office 'Krishna' on Tuesday, assured them that the government would try and meet their demands.

More than four lakh garment workers had planned a statewide agitation demanding revision of minimum wages that the previous Congress government proposed and later withdrew.

The Siddaramaiah government had issued a draft notification on wage revision in February, only to withdraw it the very next month, after the industry managements raised objections. The GATWU has demanded that the government fix Rs 18,000 as minimum wages.

Speaking at the meeting, Kumaraswamy said the government would ensure a win-win situation for both the workers and the manufacturers. A final decision on wage revision would be taken with the mutual consent of both parties.

The GATWU delegation led by its president Pratibha and legal advisor Jairam pointed out that though the garment industry in Karnataka was flourishing and was globally known for its quality and designs, the quality of life of the garment workers had not improved.

The union also sought that Kumaraswamy withdraw cases against several workers who were part of the massive agitation against the amendments to the Employees Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, in April 2016. Kumaraswamy said he would discuss the matter with the police authorities.

Labour Minister Venkataramanappa, additional chief secretary N Lakshminarayan, labour secretary Amlan Aditya Biswas and other officials were present at the meeting.