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Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Calls Labourers Architects of Nation on May Day

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah inaugurated the World Labour Day program at the KPCC office on Friday, calling labourers the architects of the country's economic and social development. He announced an increase in compensation for workers who die on duty from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 8 lakh and raised funeral assistance for natural deaths. Siddaramaiah criticized the central government as anti-labour while highlighting state initiatives like the Karnataka Gig Workers Insurance Scheme with 30,256 registered workers. The event was attended by Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar and other dignitaries, with the CM emphasizing the Congress party's support for workers.

Key Points: Karnataka CM: Labourers Are Nation-Builders on May Day

  • Siddaramaiah calls labourers architects of nation-building
  • Compensation for worker deaths raised from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 8 lakh
  • 30,256 gig workers registered under Karnataka Gig Workers Insurance Scheme
  • 104 residential schools opened for children of workers by 2026-27
3 min read

Labourers are architects of nation-building, says Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on May Day

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah says labourers are architects of nation-building, increases compensation for worker deaths, and criticizes central government on May Day.

"Basavanna had said that bodybuilders are Kailash. No matter what work they do, they should be given equal respect. - Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah"

Bengaluru, May 1

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that labourers are the architects of the country's economic and social development.

He was speaking after inaugurating the World Labour Day program organised at the KPCC office on Friday.

"Basavanna had said that bodybuilders are Kailash. No matter what work they do, they should be given equal respect," Siddaramaiah stated, adding that workers are essential for the country's social and economic development.

"There are more than 75% unorganized workers in the country, " he added

CM Siddaramaiah further alleged that the Central government is anti-labour and in favour of corporate organisations.

"Our government has always been in favour of labourers and respects them. The state government has provided many facilities to labourers," he said.

Siddaramaiah said that the compensation provided to workers who die while on duty has been increased from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 8 lakh. He further stated that the assistance for funeral expenses in cases of natural death has been raised from Rs 75,000 to Rs 1.5 lakh.

"Party chief Rahul Gandhi held discussions with Santosh Lad, Priyanka Kharge and me and worked towards supporting workers," he said. He added that 30,256 gig workers have been registered under the Karnataka State Gig Workers Insurance Scheme, and it has been decided to provide compensation of Rs 4 lakh in cases of accidental death. He further said that compensation has already been disbursed in five cases.

He said, "With the aim of ensuring that children of the working classes also get a good education, 104 residential schools have been opened for the children of workers by 2026-27. 99.42% of students have passed in residential schools. These schools will help the children of workers to get higher education"

"The collective laws implemented by Babasaheb Ambedkar have protected the interests of the workers, and Jagjivan Ram has also done a lot of work on behalf of the workers. Congress Party is with the workers," he added.

"The workers' organisations held in Chicago in 1886 demanded eight hours of work, eight hours of rest, and eight hours of recreation. Before that, they had to work for 14 to 18 hours, " Siddaramaiah said, adding that the day of the workers' struggle is being celebrated as World Workers' Day.

Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Legislative Council Chief Whip Salim Ahmed, former minister and Chairman of the Guarantee Implementation Authority H.M. Revanna, Youth Congress President Manjunath, KPCC Working President G.C. Chandrashekhar, and several other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As someone who's worked with construction workers in Bangalore, I can tell you that 75% unorganized workers statistic is spot on. These people don't have PF, medical insurance, or job security. The Gig Workers Insurance Scheme for 30,256 workers is a start, but what about the millions more in the unorganized sector? Also, the compensation for accidental death at Rs 4 lakh is still too low compared to what corporate employees get. Good intentions but needs bigger budgets.
R
Rohit P
Siddaramaiah quoting Basavanna's "bodybuilders are Kailash" is powerful - our ancient philosophy always valued labour. But let's be honest, in reality, most of us look down upon blue-collar workers. The 8-8-8 demand from 1886 Chicago is still relevant today because many workers still do 12-14 hour shifts! The residential schools idea is excellent - 99.42% pass rate shows it's working. Congress needs to focus on implementation rather than just announcements.
V
Vikram M
Appreciate the sentiment but let's not pretend this is purely altruistic - elections are coming and labour votes matter. 😅 The funeral expense increase from Rs 75,000 to Rs 1.5 lakh is significant though. My father was a construction worker and died of a heart attack on site - we got nothing. These policies need to be enforced across all sectors, not just registered workers. Also, central government has indeed been pro-corporate, so CM's criticism holds water.
J
James A
Having worked in construction management in both India and US, I can say India's labour laws are progressive on paper but poor in implementation. The 8-hour workday demand from 1886 Chicago is still being fought for here in 2024! The gig worker insurance is innovative - only Karnataka and Rajasthan have done this. But compensation of Rs 4 lakh for accidental death? That's about $5,000 - hardly enough

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