IFTU demands identity cards, welfare benefits for Yemmiganur market porters

Andhra Pradesh: The Indian Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU) district leaders on Friday urged officials at the Yemmiganur agricultural market yard to ensure welfare measures, legal protection, and social security benefits for porters working with commission agents.

Call for basic facilities

IFTU district leader S Balaraju, who submitted a petition to the market yard officer, demanded that all porters be issued licenses, identity cards, and essential tools required for their work. He stressed that both male and female porters must also be provided with two pairs of uniforms every year.

Social security and safety measures

The union leaders pressed for comprehensive welfare provisions including Employees’ State Insurance (ESI), Provident Fund (PF), and gratuity facilities for porters. They also demanded that commission agents take full responsibility for accidental deaths and injuries sustained at work, including cases of broken limbs.

Support for senior porters

Balaraju further urged the government to sanction financial assistance of Rs 5,000 per month to porters above the age of 50, calling it essential to ensure dignity and support for ageing workers in the sector.

Collective representation

The IFTU leaders called on market yard officials to work closely with commission agent managements to resolve the demands in the interest of justice for porters. AIKMS District Secretary M Sathyanna, along with several IFTU and PYL leaders, including Babu, Raju, Chinnahanumanna, Upendra, Anand, Ramudu, Ramanjaneyulu, Nagaraju, and Shekhar, participated in the program.