Former Minister Mohammed Ali Shabbir has assured the Beedi workers that the Congress party would provide all required assistance to protect Beedi workers livelihood, health and survival.
As part of ‘Haath Se Haath Jodo’ Abhiyan, Shabbir Ali held an interactive session with Beedi workers, thekedar and others related to the industry at Kamareddy District Congress Committee office on Sunday.
Speaking on the occasion, Shabbir Ali said that nearly seven lakh workers were employed by 14 major Beedi industries in Telangana State. However, he said that the BJP Govt at the Centre and BRS Govt in the State did nothing to eradicate poverty among Beedi workers or address their health concerns.
Referring to a recent study done on the condition of Beedi workers of Telangana, he said the workers were getting poor wages, facing exploitation by middlemen and they have no social security. He said lakhs of workers were forced to continue with the Beedi industry as they do not have any alternative means of livelihood.
Shabbir Ali said the workers, mainly women, were dependent on Beedi rolling for their livelihood. He said most of the Beedi workers were suffering from serious health problems. However, he said they have no access to medical facilities. At least there is no ESI hospital for Beedi workers anywhere in the country, including Kamareddy.
