CITU to march in Kalaburagi for immediate minimum wage implementation

The district unit of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) will hold a protest in Kalaburagi city on August 10, urging the State government to immediately implement the revised minimum wages and address a range of labour and farmer-related demands.

Addressing a press conference in Kalaburagi on Thursday, CITU district president M.B. Sajjan said the State government had issued the final notification on revised minimum wages on May 22, 2026, based on scientific calculations and following the directions of the Supreme Court. He said the revised wages would ensure higher pay for workers, with highly skilled workers in Zone-I receiving a monthly minimum wage of around ₹31,000.

However, Mr. Sajjan said the revised wages have not been implemented despite the notification being issued two months ago, affecting nearly one crore workers across the State. He urged the government to implement the revised wages without yielding to pressure from employers and to ensure justice for workers.

Mr. Sajjan also highlighted the difficulties faced by farmers, who are struggling under debt, and noted that rising prices of essential commodities, unemployment and privatisation policies have increased hardships for ordinary people. The continuous rise in prices of petrol, diesel, cooking gas, electricity, groceries and transport services has added to the burden on households, he added.

The CITU leader said the organisation would continue its agitation against land acquisition and corporate land grabbing, labour codes, and proposed changes to the rural employment guarantee scheme. He said the union would also oppose the Draft Seeds Bill, the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the national policy framework on agricultural markets.

As part of the protest, a march will be taken out from Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel Chowk to the Deputy Commissioner’s office on August 10, coinciding with the anniversary of the Quit India Movement. A memorandum will be submitted to the State government through the district administration, Mr. Sajjan said.

CITU leaders Shanta Ghanti, Nagayya Swamy and Babu Hoovinahalli were present at the press conference.