M’lore: Akhila Bharata Karmika Sangh ®, Karnataka Unit urges Elected Reps to Address Grievance

By Ashritha D’Souza
Bellevision Media Network

Mangalore, 26 Oct 2013:  Akhila Bharata Karmika Sangh ®, Karnataka state unit alleges the elected representatives of both assembly and parliament constituencies in Dakshina Kannada (DK) district have not taken keen interest in addressing the grievances of laborers related to ESIC, ESIH, ESID and bidi laborers Hospital, alleged Akhila Bhrata Karmika Sangh ® Karnataka state unit chief secretary Sudatta Jain Shirtady .

 
Addressing the media persons here on Saturday October 26, Sudatta said that more numbers of industries are being set up in DK district and the numbers of laborers are steadily increasing, while the recently opened ESIC – sub regional office in a private building located near Navabharat roundabout is indeed a victory for laborers.  The irony is that the inaugural function that was held at Sanghaniketan without inviting the labor unions.  Meanwhile, the office need not be housed in a rented premises, as ESIC has Rs 1,700 crore that is contributed by employers to the extent of 4.75 percent of salary and 1.75 percent from laborer, the sub-regional office would have been housed in a own building.  It’s just eyewash to respond to the protests of laborers and not aimed at laborers welfare. 

 

 
The reigning MP of Mangalore who did not arrive when the protest of laborers was under way urging the authorities to develop the infrastructure facilities at ESI Hospital in city, but he promptly attended the inaugural function of ESIC – sub regional office in city recently.

 
Sudatta further said that it’s an irony that bidi industry is the major industry in Dakshina Kannada district that has no hospital for bidi laborers.  The union minister Kodikunnil Suresh and Karnataka labor minister G Parameshwar Nayak who have inaugurated ESIC – sub regional office have not visited ESI Hospital in city that is reeling under major irregularities, added Sudatta.

 
Sudatta urged the elected representatives of both assembly and parliament to address the grievances of laborers and bidi rollers, in order to give health security to laborers and their families, by taking their issues with both state and union authorities ahead of the forthcoming general elections.  The laborers regardless of faith, caste and creed are first citizens of country and are in significant number who are able to change the regime if in case their labor leaders instruct them to do so, stressed Sudatta.  

 
Akhila Bharata Karmika Sangh ®, Karnataka state unit women labor leader Jayamma, state convener Dayanand Shetty B C Road, Ullal zonal president H Ismail Shafi and Mangalore city convener Gladwin Baikampady were present at the press meet.