Protest against cement price hike
Construction workers protest cement price hike on March-03Construction workers, affiliated to AITUC, on Saturday staged demonstration at 25 places in the district, protesting against the increase in the prices of cement by Rs 12 to Rs 15 per bag, immediately after the announcement of budget proposals.
Over 1,000 workers, including women, under the banner of AITUC construction workers association, raised slogans against the hike, which they said would directly affect the industry and labourers.Demonstrations were held in seven places in the city and nearly 20 places in the rural limits between Seven to Nine am police said.
Meanwhile, the association sources said a 50 kg bag, which was sold at Rs 150 to Rs 160 at the time of 2006-07 budget, was being sold now for Rs 225 to Rs 228, a 60 per cent increase, affecting the small and middle contractors, which would hit the labourers.
Moreover, the middle income group would think twice before constructing their houses, which also would have direct bearing on the construction labourers, they said.Considering these problems, the centre should immediately step in and prevent the increase and also take measures to reduce the prices of other construction materials, they said.
