Raichur
Members of the Tungabhadra Irrigation Workers’ Union (AICCTU) staged a road blockade in front of the bus stand in Sirwar town, demanding revision of minimum wages and abolition of the contract labour system. The protesters urged the government to immediately revise minimum wages and fix them at ₹42,000 per month, and to regularise contract workers by abolishing the contract system.
Addressing the gathering, Union Central Committee President K. Nagalingaswamy alleged that the state government has failed to revise minimum wages. He pointed out that as per law, wages should be revised once every five years, but the last revision was done in 2017. Although a preliminary notification was issued in 2025 proposing an increase to around ₹25,000, it has not yet been finalised, he said.
He added that the current wages are insufficient to meet basic needs such as food, clothing, house rent, and children’s education. “A worker needs at least ₹42,000 to lead a dignified life,” he stated.
Citing Supreme Court observations, he said non-payment of minimum wages is equivalent to forced labour. He also alleged that contract workers in government and private institutions, including hospitals, bus stands, and libraries, are not being paid legally mandated wages. Union leaders including Division President Rajasab, Sub-Division President Venkatesh Kori, Eshappa Gowda, Chandu Sab, Gopal Rao, Nagaraj Madival, Shivaputra Hanumantha Nayak, Nagalikar and hundreds of workers participated in the protest.
