In Haveri, anger is mounting among construction workers as Labour Minister Santosh Lad faces severe criticism for failing to address their long-standing grievances. Muhammad Saheb Kalebhaga, president of the Saint Shishunala Sharif Road and Building Construction Workers' Union, alleged that the minister's contribution to the district has been negligible despite holding office for three years.
Labour Day to be observed as black day
At a press conference on Friday, Kalebhaga announced that workers and several organisations in Haveri district would observe May 1, Labour Day, as a black day. He highlighted that daily wage workers are struggling to survive while government support remains delayed or denied. He specifically alleged that direct benefit transfers for marriage incentives to 1,561 workers in the district have been stopped.
Allegations of unscientific inspections
Kalebhaga further stated that Haveri district has 2.2 lakh worker cards. Of these, 50,115 were marked eligible and 42,000 ineligible after inspections by 75 officials, which he termed unscientific. He claimed that even genuine workers were excluded from welfare schemes. He also accused labour department officials of ignoring workers' organisations and pointed out that the minister has neither visited the district nor heard workers' demands.
“If the issues are not resolved immediately, workers will launch a strong protest,” Kalebhaga warned. AITUC president KN Makandar was also present at the press conference.
