KSDL workers protest Tamannaah’s Rs 6.2 Cr brand ambassador remuneration amid wage grievances

The recent appointment of actress Tamannaah Bhatia as the brand ambassador for Mysore Sandal Soap, with a reported remuneration of Rs 6.2 crore, has sparked strong protests from KSDL (Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited) direct contract workers. These workers, who have dedicated over two decades to the factory, claim they are being treated unfairly while the government spends lavishly on a celebrity endorsement.

Also Read:Tamannaah’s selection as Mysore Sandal Soap ambassador sparks outrage in Karnataka

KSDL  Workers' Association President G R Shivashankar says that " The workers despite working 15 to 20 years, they have not received proper wage increments, bonuses, leave benefits, or provident fund contributions as per regulations. Currently, over 430 direct contract workers are employed nationwide, with 63 of them in Karnataka alone, many of whom have faced these wage-related issues for years".

The KSDL Workers’ Association voiced outrage, saying, "Why give crores to a Hindi actress while the hardworking Kannada workers are denied basic rights and fair pay?" They demand that the government prioritize settling workers’ long-pending dues, including bonuses and leave payments, before spending huge amounts on brand ambassadors.

The protest highlights the growing resentment among the labor force, who feel neglected despite being the backbone of this iconic Karnataka-based company. The workers stress that their grievances must be addressed urgently, and Kannada artists could have been chosen as brand ambassadors to better reflect the state’s cultural pride.