Keonjhar: Kendu leaf workers and contractual staff gheraoed the DFO office in Keonjhar Thursday over their demands.
Affiliated to the Odisha Kendupatra Karmachari Sangh, the agitating staff said that the government has revised minimum price of the leaf bundles and wages for the employees for kendu leaf division. They alleged that the revised wages and leaf prices have not been implemented.
The workers demanded that as elections are round the corner, model code of conduct will be in force. The wages and new price of kendu leaves should be implemented as soon as possible, they demanded.
The workers pointed out that the government has been implementing various welfare schemes for leaf pluckers, munsis, leaf stitching workers and seasonal staff.
As the government has reduced the target in leaf production this year, scope of engagement in the work has reduced, the workers said.
They also added that sale of kendu leaves has fallen due to effect of GST.
Kendu leaf pluckers, who pluck 1,000 leaves, have been included in social security schemes. But those plucking 500 should be given such benefits, they demanded.
PNN