Southern States - Karnataka   

Meet to discuss issues of beedi workers

By M. Raghuram

MANGALORE DEC. 8. The "Beedi Karmikara Hitarakshana Samithi" here, a committee of major NGOs representing nearly four lakh families employed in beedi industries in the State, will hold a State-level workshop on beedi workers, their problems, and remedies here on Monday.

The workshop is likely to discuss the problems faced by beedi labourers, including legislation concerning the tobacco industry.

The ban on smoking in public places, which has affected the livelihood of nearly three crore people in the country, including about 25 lakh people in the State, will be among the topics for discussion. Representatives of the Karnataka Rural Women's Federation, self-help groups, the Beedi Mazdoor Sangh, the Nagarika Seva Trust, and workers' unions from other districts will participate in the workshop.

The representatives of the industry feel that instead of "imposing" a ban on smoking in public places, the governments should have launched a campaign to create awareness. The Convener of the State unit of the Janaranya Vedike, M.K. Bhat, says that governments have not realised the impact of the ban on the livelihood of beedi workers, 97 per cent of whom are women.

The workshop will aim at creating awareness about the need for uniform wages for beedi workers. Mr. Bhat says that due to differences in wages in the beedi-producing States, there is an exodus of workers from places where the wages are low.

The President of the Nagarika Seva Trust, Somanatha Nayak, says Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts have the largest number of beedi labourers (2.4 lakh).

They are employed for only two days a week. A beedi roller who makes 1,000 beedis a day earns Rs. 54, and an average worker has weekly earnings of only Rs. 108, he points out.

Studies indicate that the beedi industry may be fighting a losing battle against cigarette companies. Tobacco corporates have been given tax benefits that have enabled them to bring down the prices of their products.

This has affected the beedi industry. However, corporate tobacco industries are supporting beedi workers and the management of beedi industries, though in a limited way.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• Krishna Govt. facing crisis
• Minister assures grants to MCC
• Bus fare hike: CPI(M), SFI plan protest
• Well-equipped general hospitals in taluks by March end: Minister
• Spiritual relations binding India, Tibet, says Dalai Lama
• People told to work with police to bring down crime rate
• `Adjust reform process to Indian conditions'
• `Govt. keen on protecting environment'
• Meet to discuss issues of beedi workers
• Bellary police making dossiers on naxalites
• More Central funds sought for education

Copyright © 2002, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu