Unions congratulate Powrakarmikas as State government agrees to their demand after four days strike
Bengaluru: The BBMP Powrakarmika Sangha and Karnataka Pragatipara Powrakarmikara Sangha on Monday congratulated all powrakarmikas who were on strike for four consecutive days, after which the state government agreed to their demands for permanent jobs and other benefits.
“The powrakarmikas across 31 districts in Karnataka relentlessly fought for their demands over the past four days, whereas thousands of workers gathered at Freedom Park in Bengaluru. The powrakarmikas who have been working in undignified working conditions, and are treated with disrespect fought for their rights and have emerged victorious today” an official press statement stated.
The Karnataka Government has agreed to make their jobs permanent after setting up a committee that will include representatives of powrakarmika unions, which will come up with the appointment rules. The committee will also look into the implementation of ‘equal pay for equal work’ for the workers. In pursuance of this, the legislative assembly will propose a special law in the upcoming assembly session.
“While auto drivers, helpers, and loaders will be brought under the direct-payment system in all other districts of Karnataka in a phased manner, those in BBMP will continue to remain under the exploitative sham contract system. Our Union will continue to fight against illegal and exploitative contract system and will continue to strive towards ensuring rights and dignity for all” the release further added.
The government has also agreed to implement the IPD Salappa report in terms of the population to workers ratio, as also provide scholarships for children of powrakarmikas, and implement a housing scheme, and maternity benefits, among other service benefits.
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Another North Goa nightclub sealed; Kejriwal says corruption led to fire tragedy
Panaji (PTI): As part of a crackdown against tourist establishments violating laws and safety norms in the aftermath of the Arpora fire tragedy, Goa authorities on Saturday sealed a renowned club at Vagator and revoked the fire department NOC of another club.
Cafe CO2 Goa, located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed. The move came two days after Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of rules.
Elsewhere, campaigning for local body polls, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, happened because the BJP government in the state was corrupt.
An inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa by a state government-appointed team revealed that the establishment, with a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The club, which sits atop Ozrant Cliff, also did not have structural stability, the team found.
The Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday also revoked the NOC issued to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna as the fire extinguishers installed in the establishment were found to be inadequate, said divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.
A notice was issued to Nitin Wadhwa, the partner of the club, he said in the order.
Campaigning at Chimbel village near Panaji in support of his party's Zilla Panchayat election candidate, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal said the nightclub fire at Arpora happened because of the "corruption of the Pramod Sawant-led state government."
"Why this fire incident happened? I read in the newspapers that the nightclub had no occupancy certificate, no building licence, no excise licence, no construction licence or trade licence. The entire club was illegal but still it was going on," he said.
"How could it go on? Couldn't Pramod Sawant or anyone else see it? I was told that hafta (bribe) was being paid," the former Delhi chief minister said.
A person can not work without bribing officials in the coastal state, Kejriwal said, alleging that officers, MLAs and even ministers are accepting bribes.
