Workers at KCFS godowns stop work

Y Maheswara Reddy

Bengaluru: Loading and unloading of food grains meant for transporting to fair price shops across the state has been affected since Monday. Around 3,000 workers engaged at 191 Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies (KFCS) godowns stopped loading and unloading of foodgrains in support of their longpending demands.

“We are compelled to stop work as the authorities have failed to redress our grievances for more than three years. Many of us are finding it tough to make both ends meet with the meager amount we get for loading and unloading food grains at the KFCS godowns,’’ said Ahmed, a member of Karnataka Food and Civil Supply Corporation Loading and Unloading Labours’ Union.

There are 10 KCFC godowns across the city and eight to 10 people work at each of these godowns. Each worker gets Rs 18 for loading two bags (50 kgs each) of rice or wheat and Rs 8 for unloading two bags. “We have been demanding that the rates be hiked from Rs 18 to Rs 25 for loading two bags. Our other demand is to increase wages for unloading two bags from Rs 8 to Rs 13 but our requests have gone in vain,’’ he said, adding that he had joined as a worker 22 years ago and the wages were then Rs 1.49 for loading a bag of (one quintal) rice or wheat.

The other demands include issuing of wage slip, identity cards and paid holidays. “We also want the KCFC authorities to ensure that contractors pay PF and ESI contributions on time,’’ said Nadeem Sab.

Meanwhile, Dr Shamla Iqbal, Commissioner of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumers Affairs Department has assured the agitating workers that their demands would be considered by the month end.

In a letter issued to the agitating workers, the Commissioner said that a meeting was scheduled to be held on January 7 but got postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. “I will take suitable action on your demands after consulting the government departments concerned,’’ Dr Shamla Iqbal said in a letter.

It is learnt that loading and unloading activities at all KFCS godowns would commence from Wednesday morning.