CITU leader urges Rs.15,000 minimum wage for workers

Mysuru: Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) leader S. Varalaksmi has made a strong plea for ensuring a minimum wage of Rs.15,000 per month for workers in the State. She was speaking at the session on ‘Pro-people’s Movements in Karnataka’ held as part of the 83rd Akhila Bharata Kannada Sahitya Sammelana in city yesterday. Presenting an overview of the condition of the labour class in the State in particular and the country in general, Varalakshmi said that there were 44 Labour Laws, none of which accorded protection to lakhs of workers in the State, thanks to the labour reforms that diluted the laws. “We want to tell the Government through this Sammelana that no worker in the State should get wages below Rs. 15,000 per month in the State,” she added. She also made a strong plea for the proceedings in the Labour Court to be conducted in Kannada as a majority of the workers did not understand English. Former Advocate General of Karnataka Ravivarma Kumar, in his address, said centralisation was a major threat to democracy and the Grassroots Movement was essential to ensure  Social Justice. Farmer leader Chamarasa Malipatil, referring to the Farmers’ Movement in the State, said that it was essential to unite the farmers to help safeguard their interests. He further said that there were discussions going on changing the name of KRRS (Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha) & Hasiru Sene and a final decision in this regard will be announced on Dec.21. The Raitha Sangha is also working hard towards making a political mark in the  State, he added. Activist R.N. Chandrashekar, who presented an overview of Kannada Movement in the State, recalled that Gokak Agitation, entry of thespian Dr. Rajkumar and Sarojini Mahishi Report on providing jobs to the locals were the turning points for the Movement. Critic L.G. Meera, in her address, pointed out that though women constituted almost 50% of the population, they held less than 10% of the property. Lamenting the gender inequality prevailing in the society, she said that the struggle for women’s rights was also a facet of the Pro-people’s Grassroots Movements.