Date:03/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/03/stories/2008030372850300.htm

Karnataka - Mangalore

Beedi workers, contractors asked to educate their children

Staff Correspondent

Lokayukta promises to help workers in getting justice

— Photo: R. Eswarraj

MAKING A POINT: Lokayukta N.Santhosh Hegde speaking at the conference of South Kanara-Udipi District Beedi Contractors Union in Mangalore on Sunday

MANGALORE: “Do not encourage your future generations to get into the same profession,” said Lokayukta N. Santosh Hegde at a conference, organised by “South Kanara-Udupi Districts’ Beedi Contractors’ Union here on Sunday.

Mr. Hegde advised the hundreds of workers and contractors gathered at the conference to educate their children and secure a bright future for them. He said there was very little he could do in his official capacity to redress their grievances but promised that he would strive to provide justice in case of violation of law or official apathy.

Ashokbhai Patel, general manager of Pehelwan Beedi Company, said that his company would try to provide employment to as many workers as possible. Labour Commissioner Vasanth Kumar Hittanagi expressed displeasure over certain beedi companies keeping their workers ignorant of legal provisions for protecting their rights.

He welcomed the idea of the conference and stressed the need to organise more such forums in future.

Stating that contractors were not oppressors of workers, he said: “They are victims of circumstances and susceptible to exploitation. In my five years’ tenure as assistant labour commissioner, I have not come across workers’ unions complaining against contractors.”

Former MLA from Ullal U.T. Khader offered to help educate workers and contractors on their rights. Mohammed Rafi, president of Beedi Contractors’ Union spoke.