4 days ago
Minister assures joint meeting on hamali wage hike
Hamali workers load and unload food supplies for the public distribution system.
Their union says about 6,000 workers are doing this work across the State.
They want their pay raised from Rs 28 to Rs 40 for every quintal.
They say fuel, food, electricity and other costs have become more expensive.
They also want health and social insurance through the Employees’ State Insurance scheme.
The workers said their July payments have been delayed.
They also said scanning and weighing every bag has increased their workload.
The minister promised to hold a meeting with officials and the unions soon.
Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar assured hamali unions that a joint meeting on wage revision would be held soon.
About 6,000 workers load and unload Public Distribution System commodities at mandal-level stock points across Andhra Pradesh.
The union wants the current wage increased from Rs 28 to Rs 40 per quintal.
Workers also demanded Employees’ State Insurance coverage and payment of delayed July hamali bills.
The union cited rising living costs and increased work from scanning and weighing every bag.
- Who
- Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar and representatives of the AP Civil Supplies Corporation Hamalis State Union, affiliated with CITU.
- What
- The minister assured workers that a joint meeting would be convened to discuss wage revision and other demands.
- Where
- The meeting with the minister took place at the Secretariat in Amaravati; the workers operate at mandal-level stock points across the State.
- When
- The delegation met the minister on Friday; the previous wage agreement expired on December 31, 2025, with revised rates due from January 1, 2026.
- Why
- Workers are seeking higher wages because of rising costs, increased duties, delayed July payments and unresolved Employees’ State Insurance coverage.
Hamali Workers’ Demands
Government Response
Wage revision
Hamali Workers’ Demands
The union wants loading and unloading wages raised from Rs 28 to Rs 40 per quintal, citing increased living costs and additional duties.
Government Response
Minister Nadendla Manohar said a joint meeting with the unions would be arranged soon to discuss revised wage rates.
Employees’ State Insurance
Hamali Workers’ Demands
The union requested implementation of the Employees’ State Insurance scheme and said the issue had remained unresolved for nearly two decades because of a court case.
Government Response
The minister said the pending court case would be examined in detail and appropriate action would be taken.
Delayed payments
Hamali Workers’ Demands
The union said July hamali bills had not been paid, causing financial hardship for workers’ families.
Government Response
The minister said the government would discuss the workers’ issues with the Civil Supplies Commissioner and other officials and work toward early resolution.
Key facts
- Workers affected
- Around 6,000 hamali workers
- Current wage
- Rs 28 per quintal for loading and unloading
- Union demand
- Rs 40 per quintal
- Wage agreement
- Expired on December 31, 2025
- New rates requested from
- January 1, 2026
- Other demands
- Employees’ State Insurance coverage and payment of delayed July bills
- Workload concern
- Workers must scan and weigh every bag
Sources
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