Several members of central trade unions were arrested here on Tuesday after they indulged in picketing urging the State government to streamline the functioning of manual and construction workers welfare boards. The picketing call was jointly given by the CITU, AITUC, INTUC, LPF, BMS, HMS, and the AICCTU in support of their demands aimed at protecting the livelihood of manual workers and those in the construction sector.
Carrying their respective trade union flags, the members assembled near Vestry school circle from where they took out a march to the collectorate. The collector office road was closed for vehicular traffic in connection with the picketing agitation call.
Barricades were put up on the road near the collectorate to prevent the trade union members from proceeding further.
A posse of police personnel was deployed near the collectorate. The trade union members led by their respective district level office bearers raised slogans. They were all arrested and taken in different vehicles.
The agitators also urged the government not to insist on workers certificates from village administrative officer and revenue inspector for enrolling as welfare board members.
They pressed the State government to constitute advisory committees for all manual and construction workers welfare boards, and convene meetings immediately.
Hike in financial assistances for workers in tune with rising prices; withdrawal of the system of calling labourers in person to the welfare board offices for enrolment as member or renewal of membership; implementation of the earlier practice of applying through trade unions; provision of monetary benefits through cheque to the workers; and no to insisting workers to open a bank account at the time of enrolment were among their other demands.
