Mangaluru, Feb 9: Representatives of All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS) and Beedi Contractors Union today demanded the intervention of Bandaru Dattatreya, Union Minister for Labour and Employment, against extreme threat to livelihoods being felt by over 1.3 crore beedi workers in the country because of “unfriendly” and unproven anti-tobacco policies of the Government.
The Association of Unions also announced “DelhiChalo” – a march to Delhi starting with mass protests and stirs if demands of the industry are not met.
Speaking on the occasion, Balakrishna Shetty, President, from Centre of Indian Trade Unions said, “There are 30 lakh farmers engaged in cultivation of beedi tobacco, 20 lakh Adivasis engaged in tendu leaf plucking and 80 lakh beedi workers rolling beedis from their homes. None of these 1.3 crore workers have any alternative means of subsisting their families without beedi industry. They are already facing threat because of anti-tobacco policies. It is important to protect their livelihoods through a well thought policy framework, rather than adoption of unproven policies.”
According to Sitharamberinja, from All India Trade Union Congress, “Unproven anti-tobacco policies have already created a thriving parallel tobacco smuggling industry in India. Now, rules like COTPA Amendment and 85% Graphic Health Warnings are looming to take its victim on the beedi industry. The revision from existing 40% to 85% is impossible due to the conical shape of beedi packaging. We will have to eventually shut down the industry from April1st if the 85% warning is introduced.These will lead to large scale unemployment and lead to social unrest. The children of beedi workers will not be sent to school as the source of their fees will be terminated. We urge the Government to protect this indigenous industry and immediately recall these unproven, and unsubstantiated rules”
HV Rao from All India Trade Union Congress added, “The International LabourOrganisation in 2003 stated in its paper that Tobacco Control rules should not be imposed on the Beedi Industry in India till the work force gets alternative employment. Beedi is a 100% swadeshi industry operating a deep societal value chain, and cannot withstand harsh policy shocks. Rules like 85% graphic health warnings are nothing but indirect orders to close the industry unilaterally. We strongly protest against these steps”
According to Mohammed Raffi, Secretary, Hind Mazdoor Sabha, “Unfortunately, tobacco policies in India are being framed in an opaque manner, with only health activists who indulge in false propaganda and misinformation being consulted. Even pharma industry is consulted and present in policy shaping, then why single out the tobacco sector. We demand that 1.3 crore citizens involved in beedi industry should have a voice, and should be part of tripartite consultations before any policies against the industry are passed. This is a fundamental right and essential to protect the essence of democracy in our country.”
K Abdul Khadhar from Union of Beedi Contractors, said, “Unlike any other part of the world, Beedies are exclusive to India. Tobacco control policies conceived in western countries and recommended by foreign influenced health NGO’s will have a disastrous effect in India. There is a lot of misinformation and false propaganda against the indigenous tobacco industry. Government needs to gather accurate local facts and data before framing policies with mass and sweeping adverse effect on crores of rural workers. This will lead to child labour, starvation, and robbery and have the potential to cause anti social elements such as the Maoist movement gaining ground, further causing deterioration in the law and order of the country, which seems to be the agenda of the foreign funded NGO’s. We urge our labour minister to help us put our case to the Union Government.”
A mammoth rally comprising of 25,000 beedi rollers and workers was held today in Mangaluru, culminating with the submission of a petition addressed to the attention of Bandaru Dattatreya, Union Minister for Labour& Employment. The Unions placed a 4 point demand in the petition:
1. Government should provide viable alternative employment opportunities to beedi workers and rollers before any anti tobacco policy is adopted, to prevent mass social unrest
2. Industry representatives should be consulted and tripartite meetings held before passing any rules against the industry
3. Withdrawal of proposed COTPA guidelines including the notification seeking 85% of the beedi label to contain a warning
4. Penalize false propaganda and misinformation by health activists against the indigenous beedi and tobacco industry
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