The Dakshina Kannada district committee of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) has called upon workers across the district to participate in the 'DC Office Chalo' protest scheduled for May 30. The protest aims to demand scientific minimum wages and the protection of labour rights.
Protest Details
The union stated that the protest is being organized as part of a statewide call given by CITU. Key demands include fixing an average minimum wage of Rs 36,000 based on scientific calculations, amendments to labour codes, and the enactment of laws to regularize non-permanent workers.
Response to Government Notification
CITU welcomed the Karnataka government's final notification issued on May 22, which revised minimum wages by introducing a more uniform structure for most industries and reducing the number of wage zones from four to three. However, the union emphasized that it would continue to press for several key demands.
The union urged the state government to revise minimum wages in accordance with the high court directive based on the Supreme Court judgment in the Reptakos Brett case. It demanded that the minimum wage for all workers be fixed at an average of Rs 36,000, citing rising prices and increasing living costs.
Additional Demands
- Implementation of revised minimum wages from April 11, 2025, the date on which the draft notification was issued.
- Payment of one year's arrears to workers.
- Extension of the revised minimum wage notification to workers in sectors such as garments, plantations, beedi, agarbathi, handloom, and other excluded sectors.
- Inclusion of scheme-based workers under the ambit of minimum wages.
Rally and Memorandum
A workers' rally will commence from Naguri Junction at 10 am on May 30 and proceed to the Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner's office, where a demonstration will be held. A memorandum will later be submitted to the DC, stated CITU Dakshina Kannada district president BM Bhat and district general secretary Sunil Kumar Bajal.
