Centre will consider legislation to protect beedi workers: Fernandez

Hyderabad, Nov 26 (UNI) Union Minister for Labour Oscar Fernandez today said the Centre, if necessary would amend the legislation, ordering printing of warning logo of skull and bones on each beedi packet, to protect the interests of 4.5 million beedi workers in the country.

Addressing a press conference, with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy here, he said the legislation was brought by the previous NDA Government and it was supported by all parties including the Telugu Desam Party(TDP).

The demand for removal or reducing the size of the pictorial warning would not be a problem as the political parties, which supported the Bill at that time were demanding to abolish it, he said.

He alleged that former Union Labour Minister K Chandrasekhara Rao had not taken up the issue during his two-year tenure.

It could have been solved long back, if he had taken up the matter earlier, he said.

Mr Fernandez said he had taken a delegation to Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss for discussion and also held discussion with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the issue.

UPA Chairperson and Congress President Sonai Gandhi was very concerned about the problems of the beedi workers in the country.

He said the government had enough time to solve the problem and nothing to could be done before the by-election in Karimnagar.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Rajasekhaera Reddy said the state government was committed to protect the beedi workers in the state and hoped the Centre would take a positive decision on the issue and protect the livelihood of thousands of families, who depend on the beedi industry.

UNI BR SAM MIR RN2300