Trade unions hold massive protest against union government policies in Mangaluru, Udupi


Pics: Spoorthi Ullal & Justin D’Silva

Daijiworld Media Network-Mangaluru (DV/MS)

Mangaluru/Udupi, Mar 29: The trade unions of the twin districts held a massive protest opposing the alleged anti labour policies of the union government in response to two-day nationwide strike that was called by the labour unions.      

The Dakshina Kannada Joint Committee of Trade Unions (JCTU) along with Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC),  Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU),  Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS) along with other like-minded organisations staged a massive protest against the union government policies affecting workers, farmers and public near Clock Tower here on Tuesday, March 29.

The protestors rallied, raising slogans against the union government from Dr B R Ambedkar Circle.
Sunil Kumar Bajal, general secretary of CITU speaking on the occasion said, "The privatisation policies of the Narendra Modi-led union government have affected the labour class. The anti-labour policies of the union government has made the life of the labour class very miserable. The union government is treating labours like slaves."

He also alleged that the union government is exploiting the unorganised labour class." The government is not even paying minimum wages to Anganwadi and ASHA workers. Contract labourers are being made to work for Rs 9000 per month without providing any security. All government sectors are being handed over to the corporates through  privatisation." 

"The prices of essential commodities, petrol, diesel and cooking gas are skyrocketing. This country is not made of the corporates but it belongs to the labour classes. We will not allow you to sell this country," he said.

Protestors also kept forward several demands including reduction of  excise duty on petroleum products, transfer Of Rs 7,500 monthly to those families who don't come under taxation, 10 kg free cereals to every person and so on. The protestors also demanded that the government should withdraw four labour laws that are in favour of the corporates and protect the interest of labourers.

"The government should withdraw amendments made to the agriculture bill and electricity amendment bill. It should provide universal social security to the unorganised labour class. The government should provide minimum wages and social security to ASHA, Anganwadi, mid-day meal and other labour class workers", they urged.

Seetharam Berinja of AITUC and others spoke on the occasion.

Udupi registers massive protest

A huge protest was held in front of the DC office by labour union and various other organizations in support of two-day nationwide strike that was called by the labour unions urging the fulfilment of various demands.

Addressing the protesters, Suresh Kallagara, union leader said, “The construction labourers' law is quashed and four new amendments have been made. A decision has been taken to form a board for 50 crore unorganized labourers. But instead of one board, separate welfare boards have to be formed. Government gave opportunity to only one company to manufacture Covid vaccination to be supplied throughout the country. The contract was given to people who were close to PM Modi. The union government is also increasing the prices of fuel and other commodities cashing on the Ukraine-Russia war.”

The protesters demanded a minimum salary of Rs 21, 000 as minimum salary for labourers. They also opposed privatization of public enterprises and demanded formation of welfare boards for auto rickshaw and other transport drivers, fishermen and others who work with the fisheries industry. Privatization of banks and insurance companies also should be stopped, urged the protesters.

Speaking on the occasion, Prabhakara B Kundar, representative of insurance employees’ union, said, “Earlier only 5% used to go to the state exchequer from LIC. Now the ratio is reduced. Government is trying to privatize all organizations that are under its control. This should be stopped immediately.”

Leader A Narasimhamurthy said, “Union finance minister called the budget of this financial year as Amritha Kaala Budget. But the grant of all projects is reduced considerably. In UNESCO, the country said that it will ban beedi and tobacco products. Thousands of labourers employed in the beedi industry will lose their livelihood. Government has not thought of an alternative solution for their plight. They are not paying proper remuneration to Asha workers also. Instead of discussing labour issues, the government is busy making propaganda on communal matters. They are taking the country towards insolvency.”

A mammoth protest rally was held from Manipal Syndicate Circle to the DC office in which thousands of labourers, bank employees, Asha workers, LIC employees and the members of other affiliated organizations took part.A memorandum was submitted to the government through additional DC.Leaders Balakrishna Shetty, Kaviraj, Vishwanatha Rai, convener K Shankar, Ravindra of Bank employees federation of India and others were present.

 

 

  

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Comment on this article

  • vijay, Bangalore

    Wed, Mar 30 2022

    Those who protest unknowingly supporting a desease called communism. Look at the sick state Kerala there is no industry and trade union members are the biggest goons who earn money without working. If Karnataka wont stop these red criminals then it will have to face same faith of kerala. They bowwow 150 cr per month to give salary to trade union members who are running lose making state owned companies.

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  • Melroy C.F.Fernandes, Mangalore

    Tue, Mar 29 2022

    An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations - Adam Smith(1776) Vs Das Kapital – Karl Marx (1867)/// Jahan ka sarkar ho vyapari vahan ke log ho bhikari///The day profit turns into a bad word in Singapore ,Singapore will die – Lee Kuan Yew./// “Shubh Labh” is a concept ingrained into Indian sanskaar.///The Indian sanskaar was to worship both Maa Lakshmi and Maa Saraswati.///Unfortunately, socialism overtook these “sanskaar” and is driving India into abject lawlessness and poverty.///The road to Serfdom – Friedrich Hayek. ////The Law – Frederic Bastiat(1850) :Quote The law become the tool of every kind of avarice, instead of being its check! The law guilty of that very iniquity which it was its mission to punish!...The law has been perverted through the influence of two very different causes—naked greed and misconceived philanthropy... Man can only derive life and enjoyment from a ... perpetual application of his faculties to objects, or from labor. This is the origin of property..... But also he may live and enjoy, by seizing and appropriating the productions of the faculties of his fellow men. This is the origin of plunder.... Now, labor being in itself a pain, and man being naturally inclined to avoid pain, it follows, and history proves it, that wherever plunder is less burdensome than labor, it prevails; ....When does plunder cease, then? When it becomes more burdensome and more dangerous than labor. ... When, therefore, plunder is organized by law, for the profit of those who perpetrate it, all the plundered classes tend, either by peaceful or revolutionary means, to enter in some way into the manufacturing of laws. These classes, .., may propose to themselves two very different ends, when they thus attempt the attainment of their political rights; either they may wish to put an end to lawful plunder, or they may desire to take part in it.Unquote/// Socialism leads to Communism leads to Fascism!

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  • Ozy, Surathkal

    Tue, Mar 29 2022

    Same people will vote Modi so let them suffer.

    DisAgree [13] Agree [38] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rahul, Mangalore

    Tue, Mar 29 2022

    BJP knows how to throw the bone at the time of elections. They will divide these unions under different castes.

    DisAgree [12] Agree [38] Reply Report Abuse

  • Joseph, Qatar

    Tue, Mar 29 2022

    It will indeed be a herculean task to get the government policies abolished and bring the administration on its knees. Never say die and never give up. May the spirit of such protests go on, let the revolutionary zeal bring a burning desire for a major change in every citizen.

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  • Raman, Mangalore

    Tue, Mar 29 2022

    All problems put under carpet -- GODI MEDIA -- does not come as main news -- problems faced-- except HIJAB --TIPU who has died centuries ago -- Movies -- etc -- ONLY 2 G scam etc blown out of proportion -- LOK PAL -- no news -- TODAY the FORMER CAG -- VINOD RAI -- has joined a GOLD COMPANY -- as Director--

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