DC Office Chalo protest on May 30

Mangaluru: The Dakshina Kannada district committee of CITU has called upon workers across the district to participate in the ‘DC Office Chalo’ protest to be held on May 30 in support of scientific minimum wages and protection of labour rights.

The union stated that the protest is being organised as part of a statewide call given by CITU demanding the fixing of an average minimum wage of Rs 36,000 based on scientific calculations, amendments to labour codes, and the enactment of laws to regularise non-permanent workers.

Welcoming the Karnataka govt’s final notification issued on May 22 revising minimum wages by introducing a more uniform structure for most industries, and reducing the number of wage zones from four to three, CITU said it would continue to press for several key demands.

The union urged the state govt to revise minimum wages in accordance with the high court directive based on the Supreme Court judgment in the Reptakos Brett case. It demanded that the minimum wage for all workers be fixed at an average of Rs 36,000 in view of rising prices and increasing living costs.

CITU also demanded that the revised minimum wages be implemented from April 11, 2025, the date on which the draft notification was issued, and that workers be paid one year’s arrears. The union further sought extension of the revised minimum wage notification to workers in sectors such as garments, plantations, beedi, agarbathi, handloom and other excluded sectors. It also demanded that scheme-based workers be brought under the ambit of minimum wages.

A workers’ rally will commence from Naguri Junction at 10 am on May 30 and proceed to the Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner’s office, where a demonstration will be held. A memorandum will later be submitted to the DC, stated CITU Dakshina Kannada district president BM Bhat and district general secretary Sunil Kumar Bajal.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Bakrid wishes, messages and eid 2026