DHARWAD: The Sri Jagadguru Ajata Nagalingeshwara Building and Other Construction Workers Taluk Association has raised concerns over the misuse of new software by the Labor Department Welfare Board, which is allegedly harming genuine workers. A petition was submitted to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah through Tahsildar Office Head Krishna Arera, highlighting these issues.
State General Secretary Duragappa Chikkatumbal revealed that funeral assistance approved for a worker in September 2024 has not yet been disbursed. Vice President Nabirsula Nadafa criticized labor department officials for canceling valid labor cards using family IDs, urging officials to verify workers’ actual workplaces before approval.
While marriage, maternity, and mother-child benefits have been approved, workers face unwarranted delays in receiving payments. Education assistance funds for workers’ children have been withheld for two years.
Taluk President Lakshman Gudaradit warned that if demands are not met within a week, workers will launch an indefinite sit-in at the Hubballi Workers’ Hall.
District leaders Shivappa Asuti, Mahammadarafika Makandara, Mallappa Sonappanaravara, Hasanasab Sunkada, Basavaraja Kattimani, Hasanasab Nasipudi, and Bahajan Hallikeri, along with hundreds of workers, supported the protest call. The association urges immediate government action to prevent exploitation and injustice in the unorganized labour sector.
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State General Secretary Duragappa Chikkatumbal demanded extending the workers’ card renewal period to three years instead of one. He urged immediate renewal of expired cards and called for prompt disbursal of pension assistance, which has been pending for four months, to support the struggling labor community.