Bangalore: On Monday, an estimated 50,000 mid-day meal workers thronged to Freedom Park from across the state for an indefinite protest to pressurise the state government to increase the minimum wage, which is Rs.35 a day. The event was organised by the trade union, CITU.
Among the protesters were old women, pregnant and lactating mothers. The protest is to spill over into Tuesday at least, yet no provision has been made for shelter or toilets for the protesters, who were mostly women.
No women constables were on duty either; only a handful of men provided security. The women will spend the night out in the open.
According to the CITU office bearers, 50,000-plus mid-day meal workers from across the state are taking part in this protest. Talks between the state government and CITU failed to reach any consensus on the wage issue and hence this protest. Officials from the DPI tried to convince the agitators to withdraw their protest on Monday, but gave no assurances.
No facilities: even though more than 50,000 women have gathered at the Freedom Park neither the organisers nor the state government has provided them basic facilities. A CITU activist from Gadag claimed that this powerful national union has no money to provide these facilities.
“These agitators are drawing just Rs.35 per day. So we can’t collect any money from them to provide facilities. We will provide a shamiana at night. Agitations are always held in this type of condition. We will not move out of this place until the state government gives a written assurance,” the CITU member said.
The protesting women have accepted that they are in no position to ask for basic facilities. “I don’t have any money to contribute to this strike. This strike is called for our sake and that is why we will not say anything about the non availability of any facilities here,” said a mid-day meal worker.
Mid-day meals are provided to students in government schools and the scheme has been envisioned to better the poor nutrition levels among children as well as provide an income for needy women who cook and serve the meals.
