Garment workers block Hubballi-Dharwad road over new PF withdrawal rules

A large number of woman employees of Shahi Export Garments at Rayapur blocked the Hubballi-Dharwad road on Thursday, protesting against the waiting periods for withdrawal of provident fund (PF) and Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS) savings under the new provisions.

The protest, which began around 9.30 a.m., brought traffic between Hubballi and Dharwad to a standstill for few hours. The workers, who sat on the road and raised slogans, said they would continue their agitation until their demands were addressed.

The Vidyagiri police and officials of the Labour Department attempted to persuade the protesters to clear the road. The workers, however, remained at the spot until Police Commissioner Bhushan Borase and Additional Deputy Commissioner Geeta C.D. arrived and held discussions with them.

The officials assured the workers that their concerns would be conveyed to the Union government through a proposal. Following the assurance, the workers called off the protest around 2 p.m. and returned to work.

The protesters said they were opposing the provisions under which employees leaving their jobs would have to wait for a year to access the remaining 25% of their PF savings. They also said workers with less than 10 years of service would have to wait for three years to withdraw their accumulated EPS amount.

The Garment and Textile Workers’ Union (GATWU) has submitted a memorandum to the Additional Central Provident Fund Commissioner seeking withdrawal of the waiting periods.

According to the union, the restrictions would particularly affect low-wage garment workers. It said women account for 85% to 90% of the State’s garment workforce and that many workers depend on their PF savings to meet expenses arising from medical emergencies, children’s education, rent, marriage and other family needs.

The union has termed the waiting periods a restriction on workers’ access to their savings and has sought their immediate withdrawal.

During the protest, workers including Ratna Umachigi, Neelamma Chavarad, Radhika Sureban, Kusuma Madiwalar, Bharati Gollar and Shabina explained their concerns to the officials.