More than 1200 Migrant Workers from Bihar, predominantly Muslims who were until a fortnight ago were labouring in the Bangalore Turf Club are today destitute, living worse than street dogs in some near by Parks and a few Muslims taking shelter and in Mosques during nights.
These workers who were more than owned by the Horse owners very much like the horses, but the only difference is that they were being treated as scum by these fat-cats, the celebrities, the Industrialists who are the prestigious horse owning members of the club.
While the Bangalore Turf Club, which has its own permanent employee strength of 1200+ does not take any responsibility for these “CASUAL S” (though nothing casual about their work), who in fact are the back bone which keeps the Turf activity and extravagant sport aka gambling going.
These contract labourers were paid a poverty wage of Rs. 4,500 to 5,000 per month until very recently for the 24×7 work that they were doing in the Turf Club, available at the beck & call of the Horse Owners, who invariably are whimsical to demand services in the middle of the night.
For years, a certain self styled & self proclaimed Trade Union leader was misleading them by keeping them in penury and of-course for this he was amply rewarded by the Horse owners and trainers.
In the recent days and months, these migrant labourers have picked up the courage of asking for their rights and have pleaded for a nominal rise in their wages. It is needless to say how the bosses reacted, all these vulnerable migrant workers have been thrown out of the premises of the of Bangalore Turf Club (Race Course), and the Government of Karnataka has treated them shabbily with the utmost disregard to all the principals of natural justice, human rights and least of all the labour laws and statutes.
False charges of Violence, were levelled against the workers and their representatives resulting in the arrest of 26 workers under Indian Penal Code,section 307. Please read: http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_violence-at-bangalore-turf-club_1650901 for details. Some well meaning labour advocates and human rights defenders have taken up this issue and have convened a meeting to look at the possibility of organising Solidarity action in support of these workers.
A meeting of all fellow travellers, human rights defenders, Dalith fighter organisations, Trade Unionists and progressives is being convened today at 5pm in Bannappa Park (near corporation junction) where these workers are living for the last 15 days.
Peoples’ Solidarity Concerns-Bangalore of which the New Socialist Alternative (CWI-India) is also an integral part requests all comrades, supporters available in the Bangalore city to join these solidarity efforts and come to the rescue of these workers.
Those of you who are placed far and wide are requested to publicise this human/labour situation in this so called “most happening city” of Bangalore.
We also request all of you to flood mails, faxes (phone calls if possible) to the Chief Minister of Karnataka, Bangalore Turf Club etc. (a copy of protest/solidarity message to New Socialist Alternative will help to build up the struggle further).
Yours in Struggle & Solidarity
Jagadish G Chandra
Convenor, Peoples’ Solidarity Concerns-Bangalore
Protest Messages and Mails to:
1.D.V. Sadananda Gowda
Chief Minister of Karnataka,
Vidhana Soudha, Bangalore – 560233
Phone : +(91)-(80)-22253414, 22253424, 22386514, 22092354
Fax : +(91)-(80)-22253743, 22258150
E-mail : cm@kar.nic.in
2.BANGALORE TURF CLUB LTD.
P.O. Box. No.5038,Race Course Road, Bangalore – 560 001. Phone +91 – 80 – 2226 2391-2-3-52226 6421 / 2226 0942 / 2226 0662 / 22253969 Fax +91 – 80 – 2225 6995 Email secbtc@yahoo.com Website: www.bangaloreraces.com
Send Solidarity messages to: New Socialist Alternative, newsocialist.in@gmail.com and to R. Balan, balantuactivist@yahoo.com (who is a labour advocate and activist giving guidance to the workers)