Labour minister accused of neglecting workers issues in Haveri

Haveri: In Haveri, anger is rising among construction workers as labour minister Santosh Lad faces sharp criticism for failing to address their long-pending issues. Muhammad Saheb Kalebhaga, president of the Saint Shishunala Sharif Road and Building Construction Workers' Union, said the minister's contribution to the district has been negligible despite holding office for three years.At a press conference on Friday, Kalebhaga announced that workers and several organisations in Haveri district would observe May 1, Labour Day, as a black day. He said daily wage workers are struggling every day to survive, while govt support remains delayed or denied. He alleged that direct benefit transfers for marriage incentives to 1,561 workers in the district have been stopped. " He further said Haveri district has 2.2 lakh worker cards. Of these, 50,115 were marked eligible and 42,000 ineligible after inspections by 75 officials, which he called unscientific. He said even genuine workers were excluded from welfare schemes. Kalebhaga also accused labour department officials of ignoring workers' organisations and said the minister has neither visited the district nor heard workers' demands. "If the issues are not resolved immediately, workers will launch a strong protest," he warned.AITUC president KN Makandar was also present.