Drivers demand welfare board, stage protest in Madurai (Video)

MADURAI: Members of Tamil Nadu All Drivers Association have staged a protest and went on hunger strike in Madurai today- 6th July 2020- demanding the State government to set up a separate welfare board for drivers.

Nearly 100 drivers gathered at Omni Bus Stand in Mattuthavani here to take part in the one day fast and highlight the grievances and hardships being faced by drivers during this long Corona lockdown period since the transport came to a total halt with private buses, cabs, taxis etc not allowed to ply.   

Association secretary Mr.Thangapandi told reporters here today that there are 56,000 drivers who are members of the association and all of them had no wages or salaries due to lockdown for the past four months.
“At home, we do not have food and are unable to provide food to our children twice a day. So, instead of going hungry at home, we came out to go on a one day hunger strike and convey our demands to Tamil Nadu government,” Mr.Thangapandi has said.

The Tamil Nadu All Drivers Association has urged the State government to provide Rs.15,000 per month as relief assistance to drivers till things become normal and free from Corona. 

As the drivers began to assemble at Mattuthavani thins morning, police from Anna Nagar police station in the city came to the spot and held talks with the drivers to persuade them from holding protest because Corona lockdown is still followed in Madurai city now.