Labour Welfare Organisation, under the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment, has initiated measures to provide training to beedi workers in alternate vocations.
The organisation has so far trained 384 beedi workers in the State, according to K Shekar, Welfare and Cess Commissioner of Labour Welfare Organisation, Karnataka.
Addressing presspersons in Mangaluru on Wednesday, he said the organisation had taken steps to provide training in alternative vocations such as tailoring, solar maintenance and retail sales. Of the 384 trained workers, 27 have already got jobs in different areas.
To a query on the low number of beedi workers opting for training, he said nearly 80 per cent of beedi workers in the State are aged above 40 years. Earlier skill training programmes were limited to those in the age group of 18-34 years. The government has decided to relax the age limit for beedi workers, he added.
Stating that many beedi workers find it difficult to attend training programmes in a specified skill training centre, he said there are plans to provide training in organic farming at their place. This will also help them take up organic farming in their vicinity.
Shekar said the Labour Welfare Organisation had organised a one-day workshop for beedi workers in Mangaluru on Monday. Around 40 women beedi workers attended the workshop.
Trainers from ILO (International Labour Organisation) visited the houses of these beedi workers the day before the workshop to assess their working conditions. The workers were also asked to make small changes in their work environment to reduce fatigue and improve their health condition, he said.