AP: 2 lakh beedi workers rendered without jobs

SANGAREDDY: About 12 lakh beedi workers were rendered jobless in five districts of Telangana, more than a week ago. The managements of beedi factories stopped supplying leaves to the workers stating that they cannot pay them Rs 158.35 for rolling 1000 beedis, as was directed by the government. A GO (No. 41) was issued regarding hike in payment of wages to beedi workers sometime back.Earlier, the workers used to be paid just Rs 80 for rolling 1000 beedis. Unable to make both ends meet, the workers had fought a long battle following which the government held discussion with the managements of the factories and issued the GO.For sometime, the managements paid the new wages but ten days back, owners of the factories began complaining that the hiked wages were becoming a burden to them and downed the shutters. The closure of factories made nearly 1.25 lakh beedi workers jobless in the 23 mandals of Medak dsitrict. Of them, 80,000 also had their provident fund cut from the salaries.The beedi workers are faulting the TRS and TDP for neglecting them now. Speaking to this paper, beedi workers JAC district vice-president Pavan said they would soon launch an agitation. He said that the managements of beedi factories were threatening to shift the factories to other states if the workers do not work for lesser wages.