Mangaluru
Members of the Karnataka State Building and Other Construction Workers’ Federation staged a protest outside the Mini Vidhana Soudha, demanding that both central and state governments address various pressing issues facing construction workers.
Yogesh Jappinamogaru, the District General Secretary of the committee, called for the immediate release of overdue monthly pensions that have been withheld for the past two months. He also urged the government to disburse pending educational financial assistance from 2022, as ordered by the high court. Furthermore, he requested urgent action from the welfare board and the state government to address the renewal of construction workers’ registrations.
Jappinamogaru highlighted the challenging conditions within the construction sector, noting that, despite a boom in projects, millions of workers live in unsafe environments. Migrant workers are particularly affected, facing significant hardships, while women in the sector endure wage discrimination and unequal pay. He also pointed out the persistent issue of sexual harassment.
CITU District General Secretary Sunil Kumar Bajal criticized the previous BJP and NDA governments for consolidating 29 labor laws into four codes, including the Building and Other Construction Workers’ Act of 1996, which he claims stripped workers of essential benefits and protections. He warned that nationwide protests have been organized to protect the livelihoods of construction workers, and if their demands are not met, protests across Karnataka will escalate.
As part of their ongoing struggle for rights, a campaign was conducted from October 1 to 15 in areas where construction workers reside.
