Workers In Yemmiganur Deprived Of Basic Rights, Allege Unions

Yemmiganur – Andhra Pradesh: A memorandum submitted to the Yemmiganur Labour Officer S Keshanna by IFTU and allied organizations alleged that workers across sectors in the town are being denied wages, job security, and mandatory welfare benefits, demanding immediate intervention.

• Workers forced to work without basic facilities

In a petition submitted to Labour Officer, S Balaraju, IFTU town secretary S Babu and other labour representatives highlighted the grim working conditions faced by labourers in town. They alleged that workers in clothing shops, petrol pumps, rice shops, fertilizer outlets, flour mills, shoe shops, bakeries, medical stores, cinema halls, nursing homes, and mechanical repair shops are being forced to work without guaranteed wages, Provident Fund (PF), Employees’ State Insurance (ESI), or even basic insurance coverage.

They emphasized that many of these workers have been employed for several years but continue to be denied legal entitlements, violating labour laws and human dignity.

• Demand for wage and job security

Labour Officer was urged to ensure that workers receive not only fair wages but also job security. The petitioners stressed the need to implement labour welfare schemes and make sure that all commercial establishments in the town are compliant with labor standards.

The labour leaders demanded strict inspections and actions against employers violating statutory labour laws, ensuring the enforcement of PF, ESI, and minimum wage provisions.

• Restore weekly holidays for workers

One of the key issues raised was the denial of weekly holidays. The petition pointed out that Yemmiganur town used to observe weekly holidays for workers every Saturday in the past, a practice that has now disappeared. They demanded that the authorities immediately restore Saturday as a mandatory weekly holiday for labourers in the town.

• Organizations unite in support

The petition was backed by a wide spectrum of organizations, including M Sattanna, the All India Farmers District Leader of the Coolie Association; S Muneppa, Division Convener of the Pragathisheela Yojana Sangam; and Narsimhulu and others.

They collectively appealed to the Labour Officer and concerned government departments to intervene promptly and uphold the rights and dignity of Yemmiganur’s working population.

(Source: IAIJ/BIN/DPJB)