Mangaluru: A protest was staged in front of the labour commissioner's office here on June 30 by Beedi and Tobacco Labour Union, CITU and S K Beedi Workers' Federation demanding dearness allowance.

The protest was organized against the recent state government's decision to give concession on dearness allowance for the year 2015-16 to the beedi industry owners.

Speakingon the occasion, P Sanjeeva S K Beedi Workers' Federation president said, "The beedi industry owners have to pay dearness allowance from April 1, but it has not been paid so far. This year Rs 12.75 has to be paid for every 1000 beedis. The dearness allowance law was passed in the year 1983, since then dearness allowance was provided every year. The state government only supports the beedi industry owners and not the beedi workers. The beedi industry pays the workers a very less salary."

Hitting out at State government, he said " This is the most irresponsible governmemt we have ever had in our state. This is an anti-labour government. There is huge inflation in the society, so how can the poor labour class survive in this society. The government has to reconsider their decision, as it is anti-labour. If the government does not consider our protest we will organize a massive protest in the approaching days," he warned.

V S Berinja S K Beedi Workers' Federation general secretary, AITUC district president V Kukyan and others were present on the occasion.