Ongole: Goldsmiths demand Rs 10,000 aid from government

Ongole: The Gold, Silver and Gems Workers Association in Ongole demanded the government to extend monetary assistance of Rs 10,000 to save them from the financial crisis.

The association members observed one-day hunger strike in Ongole on Thursday. Association president Tirunelveli Kannaiah, general secretary Golagani Subbarao and others said that the lockdown due to the coronavirus has hit them hard economically and thrown them into a lot of problems.

They said that they were already losing livelihood as the jewellery shops are opting for readymade ornaments and receiving low wages.

They complained that they were not receiving salaries for the last two months and unable to pay even the house rents.

They appreciated the government for providing financial assistance to washermen, autodrivers, barbers, tailors, and others and demanded the government to extend the same to the gold, silver and gems workers in the state.