Date:13/05/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/05/13/stories/2005051303780300.htm

Karnataka - Belgaum

Trade unions demand changes in labour policy

Staff Correspondent

Memorandum submitted to the Deputy Commissioner Memorandum submitted to the Deputy Commissioner by workers of different organisations

BELGAUM: Workers and activists of different organisations, including anganwadis, on Thursday took out a procession in the city demanding changes in the labour policy of the Government. Led by the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), they submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner stressing the need for radical changes in the labour policy, which they alleged was "pro-capitalist."

The CITU opposed the intervention of the police in matters or disputes between the workers and owners/proprietors, which often result in harassment and physical assault of the workers and union leaders. The union demanded stringent action against the police officers, who allegedly assaulted the CPM and CITU leaders recently at Nanjangud of Mysore district.

The CITU submitted a list of 21 demands. The protest march was led by CITU's district president, C.A. Karade, and the general secretary, S.S. Kamble.

Amendments

Addressing the workers before submitting the memorandum, Mr. Karade demanded amendments to section 33 of the Industrial Disputes Act to enable prompt release of dues, including salary, relief, and gratuity, to the workers. The State Government should adopt the West Bengal model in ensuring justice to the workers under the Act for which the Labour Department needs to be given more power, he said.

Mr. Karade said the Government recognise the suggestions on laws and welfare of workers in the unorganised sector. The services of contract labourers in the city corporations, town and city municipalities should be regularised. The Government should constitute a tripartite committee with representations from the workers' leaders and trade unions, who could look into the problems of the unorganised workers and suggest measures to better their working conditions. He urged the Government to set up Labour Courts in all the districts as soon as possible.

Demands

Drawing attention to the problems faced by anganwadi workers, he said the Government should frame rules governing their working conditions and also provide pension benefits. Rules should also be framed to protect construction workers from being exploited.

The other demands included minimum wages to beedi workers, amendment to the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee Act, bringing daily wage workers in the Forest Department under the Labour Laws, and release of salary dues to the employees of sugar factories.