The women beedi workers are an exploited lot in various parts of district by the commission agents, who are deployed by the managements of various beedi factories to hire labour.
Though the government had fixed the wage as Rs.145.20 for rolling 1,000 beedies for beedi workers, they are being underpaid, as the commission agents have been giving them only Rs.100 to Rs.120 for rolling 1,000 beedies.
Nowadays, the commission agents have been removing another 50 to 100 beedies from the 1,000 beedies bundle stating that the beedies rolled are of poor quality.
A. Srinivas, who sells beedies to the commission agent rolled by his wife, said “On Tuesday, I took a total of 1,400 beedies to the commission agent. But, the agent removed 100 beedies stating that they were of poor quality.” He alleged that the commission agents collect beedies in this form and sell the same to the beedi factory managements to earn an extra amount at the cost of the women, who roll beedies for them.
Kalpana, a widow who is eking out her living by rolling beedies in Sircilla textile town, complained that they had not received their wages in the last two months. “When we asked the commission agent, he told us that the industry was in crisis and they would get their wages only when the management wishes to give. The agents also harass us by not giving us tendu leaves and tobacco when we demand wages and PF enrolment,” she stated.
S. Mallesham, AITUC leader of Sircilla, said that the exploitation of beedi workers is unending in spite of several promises made by the respective governments. The beedi workers are denied promised wages, PF and other benefits such as housing scheme and scholarships for their children, etc., he rued.
Deputy Labour Commissioner A. Gandhi told The Hindu that he had already conducted a meeting with the beedi factories managements to ensure stipulated wages to beedi workers. But, the commission agents have been exploiting the poor beedi workers, he said, adding that he would hold another meeting with the managements as the commission agents are working under them and stop the harassment of the workers.
Mr. Gandhi also promised to visit the beedi factories and commission agents and take action against the violators and ensure justice to the beedi workers.
Meanwhile, more than 2.5 lakh women eke out their living by rolling beedies in various parts of the district.
A majority of beedi workers are located in mandals such as Sircilla, Jagtial, Korutla, Vemulawada, Metpally, Kathalapur, Husnabad, Manakondur, Huzurabad, Choppadandi , etc.
Beedi industry is the only alternate employment for a majority of families in the rural areas.
The beedi companies denied them minimum wages, PF, and other benefits, complain beedi workers. “We struggle a lot to roll beedies at the cost of our health, but ill-treated and exploited by the commission agents,” complains a beedi worker, Kalpana.
Infopoints
Wage for beedi workers fixed as Rs.145.20 for rolling a bundle of 1,000 beedies
Commission agents pay the workers only Rs.100 to Rs.120 for a bundle
New trend among agents is to remove 50-100 beedies citing the reason of being of poor quality
It was alleged that agents make extra money by collecting these beedies
Some beedi workers have not received their payment for months
Commission agents refuse to give tendu leaves and tobacco if asked about wages and PF
Benefits like PF, housing, scholarships, etc. are denied to beedi workers
2.5 lakh women roll beedies in Karimnagar
A majority of beedi workers are located in Sircilla, Jagtial, Korutla, Vemulawada, Metpally, Kathalapur, Husnabad, Manakondur, Huzurabad, Choppadandi mandals.
