The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : AIDWA seeks justice in payment of minimum wages

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 13, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

AIDWA seeks justice in payment of minimum wages

Staff Reporter

`Government should raise it from Rs. 69 to Rs. 100'

RAISING THEIR VOICE: Women participating in a protest organised by AIDWA in Bangalore on Monday. — Photo: K. Murali Kumar

Bangalore: The provisions of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, which has received scant Government priority, even as atrocities on women are increasing, must be implemented in the coming budget. The creation of a separate fund could ensure the proper implementation of the Act.

These were among the demands reiterated by the All-India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA) at a protest meet here on Monday, where over 5,000 women, mostly agricultural labourers from across the State had gathered. Speaking of the large disparity that continued to exist in the minimum wages for men and women, K. Neela, president of the State committee of AIDWA, said the State Government should raise the minimum wages stipulated in the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) from Rs. 69 to Rs. 100.

"The minimum wage in Kerala is Rs. 125, and it is Rs. 80 in Maharashtra. Why should Karnataka fall behind? Here, there is no difference between the rates of exploitative private companies and that of the Government," she said. The NREGA should extend to all districts in the State, she added.

K.S. Vimala, general secretary, AIDWA, Karnataka, said it was imperative that the Women's Reservation Bill be passed in this budget session, to ensure 33 per cent reservation for women in the Assemblies and Parliament.

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