Protesters in Bengaluru turn violent over provident fund issues
The agitators, mostly garment sector workers, have been protesting against new rules for provident fund withdrawals.
According to local reports, they burnt five buses and also blocked traffic on the highway, disrupting traffic. Protests erupted in areas such as Hosur Road, Tumkur Road and Jalahalli.
On Monday, protesters blocked the Mysuru-Bengaluru highway, leaving thousands of vehicles stuck for more than 10 hours, according to reports.
The protesters told news channel NDTV that they fear they will get less money under the new rules in which people can withdraw only a part of their provident fund before retirement and can access the employer's contribution after they are 58.
According to latest reports, 20 people have been detained.
Earlier on Tuesday, the union labour ministry had announced that the EPFO has decided to allow early withdrawal of PF for certain purposes, such as housing, professional education, medical treatment and marriage of children, according to media reports.
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.