Over 2,000 Workers Trained on Labor Rights in Chikkodi

Chikkodi: Over 2,000 Workers Benefit from Legal Awareness Training in 15+ Gram Panchayats

Chikkodi: Thousands of workers employed under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in Chikkodi taluk often lack awareness about labor laws, government benefits, and healthcare schemes. To address this gap, Bengaluru-based ActionAid has been conducting training sessions through worker awareness schools across various gram panchayats in the region.

Over the past month, these sessions have been held in areas such as Yadur, Kerur, Nagaramunnoli, Belakud, Karagaon, Donawad, Bambalwad, Mugali, Jainapur, and Kadapur. The initiative aims to educate workers about their legal rights and entitlements.

ActionAid’s approach involves reaching workers directly at their workplaces. Each session sees participation from 100 to 150 workers, with discussions focusing on labor laws and challenges faced by unorganized workers. So far, over 2,000 workers, including men and women, from more than 15 gram panchayats have benefited from these sessions.

Members of ActionAid highlighted the importance of such awareness programs, stating that they bring significant improvements to the lives of the working class. "We are happy to see enthusiastic participation from workers," said Namdev Hirekodi, a resource person from ActionAid.

Local residents and participants have also lauded the initiative. Anil Kamble, a villager from Yadur, emphasized the necessity of legal awareness for MGNREGA workers to prevent exploitation. Lakshmi Kabbure, a worker from Belakud, expressed her hope for more such organizations to take up similar efforts.

This grassroots initiative by ActionAid is being widely appreciated for empowering workers with the knowledge to safeguard their rights and access available benefits.