BELLARY: The Karnataka State Hamali Karmikara Federation has decided to lay siege to Vidhana Soudha and Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee in Bangalore on April 24 seeking implementation of demands of hamalis (headload workers).

S. Prasannakumar, general secretary of State unit of CPI (M) and federation president president told presspersons here on Sunday that there were over five lakh hamalis in the State, who worked hard to eke out a living.

They were contributing in their own way for the development of business. Yet they were a neglected lot. They had no job security and retire without any benefits.

`Hollow promises'

Except hollow promises, the hamalis did not get anything on the representations submitted to the Government. Hence the federation had decided to launch an agitation to not only draw the attention of all concerned towards the plight of hamalis but also get their long-pending demands fulfilled. He said that a procession would be taken out in Bangalore in which hundreds of hamalis from different parts of the State would take part.

17-point charter

Major among the 17-point charter of demands include, enacting a law to extend pension benefits, bringing in amendment to the APMC Act to provide representation to two hamalis, insurance scheme be extended to hamalis and the premium amount to be borne by the APMC, enhancing the insurance amount to Rs. 1 lakh, houses under the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Scheme, establishment of "shishu palana Kendra" for the benefit of women hamalis, maternity benefits and other welfare schemes, education scholarships for children of hamalis, distribution of yellow cards and enforcing labour laws in all mills, godowns, warehouses and ensuring payment of minimum wages.

`Roll back cement price'

Referring to the steep hike in the cement price, Mr. Prasannakumar said that it hit hard the common man planning to take up construction of house and also small contractors and labourers depending upon construction activities. He urged the State Government to intervene and ensure that the prices were rolled back.

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