Udupi, 25 Nov 2012: Demanding work for six days a week, the Udupi District Beedi Workers Federation demonstrated in front of the Bharat Beedi Works Company on Friday, November 23, 2012. In this demonstration, beedi workers of Udupi-Malpe region participated in large numbers.
Besides demanding work for six days, the federation demanded that if the beedi workers are not allotted work on a particular day, they should be granted compensation. The beedi workers should be provided better quality raw material. The beedi workers should not be penalized for not meeting the target due to bad quality of the raw materials.
It was pointed out that the federation has succeeded in achieving minimum wages for the beedi workers and scholarship for their children from the first standard. However, the beedi companies are using methods to deny the minimum wages by providing substandard raw materials and deducting the fine for not meeting the targets by the beedi workers. Besides, these beedi companies acquire beedis from other states and deny the local beedi workers their dues, said the agitators.
Vishwanatha Rai, leaders of the federation led the demonstration. Dogu Suvarna, Balakrishna Shetty, Raju Poojary Kukkikatte, Sugandhi Kelarkalabettu, Sharada Malpe, Nalini Lakshminagara, Umesh Kunder Tenkanidiyur, Leela Dodabettu and others were present during the demonstration.