Hamalis affiliated to the APMC Hamali (Headload) Workers Union and the Karnataka State Hamali Workers Federation staged a protest in Hubballi on Wednesday demanding immediate revision and implementation of minimum wages for loading and unloading on piece-rate basis.
The workers, led by the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), took out a protest march from Basaveshwar Circle to the APMC office at Amargol. Later, they staged a demonstration.
They submitted a memorandum addressed to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar through the APMC authorities.
The protest was led by Karnataka State Hamali Workers Federation general secretary Mahesh Pattar, CITU district president B.I. Eeliger and union leaders Basavanneppa Neeralagi, Gurusidappa Ambiger, Manjunath Hujarathi, Hanamanta Ambiger, Kathalsab Mulla and Hussainsab Nadaf.
The protesters demanded that the State government withdraw the Cabinet sub-committee constituted to review the recently revised minimum wages and instead, proceed with fixing scientific minimum wage rates for loading and unloading.
Stating that minimum wages is a constitutional right, the union leaders said that workers dependent on daily wages are facing severe economic hardship due to rising prices.
They said that the revised minimum wages notification issued by the State government on May 22, 2026 has failed to fix minimum wages for loading and unloading workers employed in APMCs, mills, warehouses, transport establishments and markets.
They said that the State Minimum Wages Advisory Board has held several meetings over the past three-four years and has undertaken the revision process based on price indices, dividing the State into three zones.
However, the unions objected to the subsequent decision to constitute a Cabinet sub-committee to reconsider the revised minimum wages.
The unions demanded a scientific and uniform piece-rate system for loading and unloading work across the State, taking into account the different agricultural commodities handled in APMCs in different regions.
Among their other demands are creation of a welfare board for hamalis on the lines of those in Kerala and Maharashtra and the extension of social security benefits such as provident fund, pension, assistance in cases of natural death and educational assistance through the Karnataka State Unorganised Workers Social Security Board.
The unions also sought a retirement benefit of ₹1 lakh from the APMC Kayaka Fund, uniforms and other welfare measures. They demanded rest rooms and toilets for women hamalis and effective implementation of minimum wages.
The protesters further sought comprehensive social security benefits for workers registered on the e-Shram portal and group housing schemes for hamalis by utilising various Central and State government housing programmes.
Published - August 19, 2026 06:44 pm IST