‘Ensure timely payment of wages under Employment Guarantee Scheme’

Allavaram – Andhra Pradesh: Karem Venkateswara Rao, State Vice President of the Agricultural Workers Association, demanded immediate payment of pending wages under the Employment Guarantee Scheme, while criticizing the government’s new restrictions and calling for protection of workers’ rights during his visit to Kodurupadu village in Allavaram Mandal on Saturday.

Immediate payment of wage arrears demanded

Addressing workers during employment guarantee tour, Kaarem stressed the urgent need for disbursing pending wages. He also demanded that all labourers seeking restoration of the summer allowance be provided with immediate work opportunities.

Employment Guarantee Scheme under threat

Kaarem alleged that the Employment Guarantee Act, achieved through years of struggle, is now in jeopardy. He criticized the BJP-led central government for slashing funds and introducing new rules that, he said, place undue pressure on workers, including weekly certification requirements by technical assistants and threats of workday cancellations.

Call to restore summer allowance

Highlighting the hardships faced by workers during the dry season, Rao condemned the government’s move to cancel the summer allowance. He urged that the allowance be reinstated after the upcoming celebrations, noting the difficulty of manual work in hard soil conditions between April and June.

Demand for higher wages and worker benefits

Rao pointed out that despite increased workloads, many workers still earn only Rs 160–170 per day. He demanded that wages be increased to Rs 600 for 200 days of work annually.

He also called for comprehensive worker benefits, including:

Accident insurance of Rs 10 lakh for all workers with job cards
Introduction of the Employment Guarantee Scheme in urban areas
A Rs 5 remuneration for job mates
Provision of cellphones to workers
Unemployment allowance for those who are not provided with work

Better working conditions urged

Kaarem emphasized the need for improved worksite facilities, including:

Weekly pay slips
Fresh drinking water supply
Availability of medical kits
Installation of tents at work locations

District association leaders P Shiva, Vijayalakshmi, Lakshi Kantham Lakshmi, and others participated in the program, expressing solidarity with the demands raised by Kaarem Venkateswara Rao.