Labour union opposes harassment of beedi workers

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Oct 29, 2015 : Addressing protesters, at a meet organized by Ullal Kotekar Circle Beedi Labour Union, seeking the to withdraw Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), the mmet at Thokkottu junction on Oct 26, Dakshina Kannada District Beedi Federation General Secretary Balakrishna Shetty said, a large number of people in Dakshina Kannada depend on beedi industry and the government’s decision to close down industry will render more than three crore beedi workers jobless.

The government is with beedi owners and workers are put to trouble by the new laws. Despite an order to increase beedi commission by Rs 12.75, it has not been implemented since last one year favouring owners.  The World Health Organisation has suggested alternative livelihood for those in the tobacco industry. But, the ban is imposed in the absence of any alternative. Recently, officials charged a fine of Rs 90,000 to a beedi contractor for transporting beedi to Kerala. Police charge Rs 200 to Rs 300 fine for selling beedi even in Belthangady, Puttur and other places.

Joint Secretary Babu Pilar said that the government can not ban tobacco products on the pretext of cancer. Those who do not chew tobacco also suffer from cancer. The government should not harass poor with its new policies. Union president Padmavati S Shetty, CITU Ullal Zone Secretary Krishnappa Salyan, Secretary U Jayanth Naik, vice president Sundara Kumpala and others were present.