WB: Bidi Workers Demand Increase in Minimum Wage, Social Security Measures

Kolkata: The state's bidi workers are on the streets once again demanding a wage of Rs 268, a monthly pension of Rs 3,000 and the introduction of health insurance and health centres. On behalf of the Joint Platform of Bidi workers of West Bengal called for a protest rally on Rani Rasmoni Avenue in Kolkata on Tuesday.

Debashish Roy, the convener of the Joint Struggle Committee, said, “Social security of bidi workers is going away; they are not getting the minimum wage. Social security for bidi workers, which was meagre, is no more. The central government has created the new Labour Court and, on its basis, has put all the social security of today in one place. But we see social security projects are underway for construction labour and fishermen. But the owners of bidi workers, who work with health hazards, do not take any responsibility. Now the government is also trying to step down.”

“It is good to hear that ESI is being transferred. But, the opportunity that the bidi workers get in all the hospitals and dispensaries has become the will of the owner,” Roy said.

Roy, the convener of the joint struggle committee, said, "The owners don't recognise anyone. As a result, workers are being deprived of opportunities. So our main demand is to keep all the protection of bidi workers. And we demanded the same wage in the whole country and made it effective."

For yesterday's protest rally, thousands of bidi workers came from different parts of West Bengal. Someone has a placard; someone has a red flag. A placard of a female bidi worker reads - 'We don’t get the money for the government house construction project. Will I stay under the open sky?'

Another protester raised a placard aimed at the Trinamool government. In a tone of anger, it is written, 'I do not even get the minimum wage announced by the state government. The government is indifferent. What shall I eat?'

On behalf of the organisation, one placard reads, 'On September 8, there will be a central rally in Delhi. The matter has already been reported to the Central Labour Minister. There will be demonstrations during the parliament session.’

Anadi Sahu, general secretary of the CITU West Bengal state committee, said at the rally that a large number of bidi factory owners in the state are Trinamool leaders. “Therefore, in order to protect their interests, the livelihood of millions of bidi workers are being pushed into distress. Although the minimum wage has been announced for bidi workers, it is yet to be implemented.”

In the state, more than 20 lakh people make a living as bidi workers. There is no guarantee of livelihood for this huge number of people and they live in extreme financial crisis as their wages have not increased in many years. Various labour organisations, including the CITU, are constantly fighting for various social security demands, including an increase in the daily wages of bidi workers.