Loaders and unloaders working in the godowns of Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies Corporation (KFSCSC) and Taluk Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (TAPMC), who took out a procession on Tuesday, have threatened to go on an indefinite strike against the government's move to transport food grains from Food Corporation of India (FCI) to ration shops.
Presently food grains from FCI are transported to Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies Corporation (KFSCSC) and Taluk Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (TAPMC) godowns at the taluk level and from there, disbursed to individual ration shops. Nearly 7,500 labourers work as loaders and unloaders at these taluk level godowns and face the prospect of being pushed out of their jobs because of the government's proposed move.
Vasu, secretary of Karnataka Shramika Shakti, a labour organisation that organised the protest told The Hindu that not only the families of 7,500 labourers, but nearly another 10,000 people make a living out of the sector as drivers. He said that the government is being insensitive to the plight of the labourers and also their rights.
Nearly 800 loaders and unloaders from across the State took out a procession from City Railway Station to Freedom Park. They are camping at Freedom Park as part of their protest. Mr Vasu said that no official had visited them and listened to their problems. He said the protest would continue till their demands are met.
