Beedi workers strike called off

Hyderabad, Nov 8 (UNI) Beedi packers and workers, who were on an indefinite strike from October 8, demanding enhancement of wages, called off their stir last night, following the intervention of Andha Pradesh Labour and Employment Minister G Vinodh.

Addressing a press conference along with Union leaders, Mr Vinodh said the Beedi Manufacturing Associations had agreed to come forward for discussions with the unions to settle their main demand of wage increase in the presence of labour department.

He said the unions would hold discussions with the Management associations on November 17 and the wage agreement would be finalised before November 20.

The unions alleged that the beedi manufacturing associations were not implementing the minimum wages to the beedi packers and regular workers in the beedi industry despite the government's direction.

Nearly 12,000 beedi packers and six lakh workers went on strike and the unions appealed the workers to resume work in view of the government's intervention.

UNI