THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It has been complained that the authorities are looting the tailoring workers without giving them government benefits. These workers are struggling as the welfare fund, retirement and maternity benefits have been cut down without proper payment and the workers have been subjected to double pension.

All Kerala Tailors Association will hold secretariat march on 15th of next month and collectorate march in all districts against this neglect.

The main complaint is that the pension amount of the tailoring workers who are members of the Death Come Retirement Benefit Scheme since 1986 has been cut down. A worker with 36 years of service will have to be paid Rs 31,890 including interest based on monthly installments up to Rs 20. It was cut down to Rs 11,105. Rs 15,000 is the maternity allowance. Only Rs 2,000 will be given within three months of giving birth. It is not clear when the rest will be available.

Being included in the double pension made things more miserable. A woman who is a member of the welfare fund and is drawing widow pension and wants to get tailoring worker pension at the age of 60 years has to give up widow pension. NC Babu, general secretary of the association, said that the strike is to correct the action which harms the workers.