Karnataka - Gulbarga   

Unions should protect rights of working class: Fernandes

Special Correspondent

`NDA had to pursue policies introduced by Congress Government'

CLAIMING THEIR RIGHT: The Convener of the National Democratic Alliance, George Fernandes, receiving a memorandum from the president of the Karnataka State SC and ST Government and Semi-government Daily Wage Workers' Union in Gulbarga on Wednesday.

GULBARGA: The Convener of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), George Fernandes, has said that the working class in the country is facing the threat of losing its rights as the Union Government is pushing for labour reforms. This will give enormous powers to employers and take away the rights of workers, he said.

Mr. Fernandes was in the district on his way to participate in a function to lay the foundation stone for the construction of a Vachana Mantapa at the birthplace of 12th Century social reformer, Basaveshwara, at Ingleshwar in Bijapur district. He visited the tent where daily wage workers of the State Government have been on a dharna for 90 days demanding the regularisation of their services. Mr. Fernandes said that the introduction of reforms in the labour sector is a part of the liberalisation policy.

He denied that the reforms process was started by the previous National Democratic Alliance Government and pointed out that it was the Congress Government headed by the late P.V. Narasimha Rao that inked the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). The Governments that followed had no alternative but to pursue the policies. He said all trade unions in the country should stand up to the challenge and thwart any move to take away the rights of the working class.

Referring to the condition of daily wage employees in the government departments, Mr. Fernandes said it is unfortunate that the State Government is following different rules for those performing the same work. While permanent employees are getting all benefits, daily wagers are being denied these facilities.

Financial constraints should not be a reason for denying the legitimate right of the daily wage workers. It is unfortunate that trade unions are not taking up the cause of the daily wagers who have been protesting for almost three months, he said.

Mr. Fernandes said he will take up the issue with the Governor, T.N. Chaturvedi; the Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh; and the Deputy Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, and urge them to find a permanent solution to the issue.

Earlier, the president of the Karnataka State SC and ST Government and Semi-government Daily Wage Workers' Union, Chandrasekhar Hiremath, and other office-bearers presented a detailed memorandum demanding the regularisation of services of 17,070 workers in different departments. The State unit vice-president of the Janata Dal (United), Basavaraj Ingin, was present.

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