Rashtra-Raksha' to promote brotherly relationship among labourers

Mangalore, August 3: With the aim of building brotherly relations among workers, the Dakshina Kananda district unit of Akhila Bharata Karmika Sangha (ABKS) will be organising 'Rashtra-Raksha' on August 5 at 10 a.m. in 'Sai Kripa' building at Kottara Chowki, Mangalore.

Announcing this at a press conference here on Friday, General Secretary of the unit Sudatta Jain said that Raksha Bandhan should not be limited to one class or group of people, but rather brotherliness should be followed by the entire society.

He said that certain incidents have disrupted the harmony in Mangalore and have put a black mark on it.

“Today, as we all work towards national development, as we are all labourers, fellowship between each other is of utmost importance. Due to corrupt politicians and officials handling the administration of the country, the fellowship between labourer classes is being turned into dust in the name of religion and casteism,” he said.

Speaking about the lack of facilities provided by the ESI Corporation, he said that the Sangha had submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister of Karnataka citing their demands.

Among their demands was provision of supplies necessary for all types of treatments at the ESI Hospital in Kadri, which was meant for labourers. Other demands included appointment of doctors and staff for all vacant posts at the hospital and treatment of ESI card holders and their families at ESI hospital itself. The Sangha also demanded that a hospital-concerned committee should be formed by the Corporation, and discussions should be held every month.

Also included in their list of demands was provision of ambulances and buses by the Corporation displaying the name of ESI hospital of the concerned area, and setting up of a sub-regional office for ESI card holders in Mangalore as soon as possible to make it easier for labourers belonging to Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.

The Sangha also demanded that various industries and institutions make facilities for workers to avail the ESI card, and also that labourers be paid their due at the right time, instead of being delayed.

Other office-bearers of ABKS Donald Karkala, Saju, Asha Anand Devadiga and Padmanabha Shetty Niddodi were present at the press meet.