Kozhikode: This is the success story of a cooperative society in Malabar that is foraying into fields like GIS mapping, remote sensing and other innovations while handling most of the infrastructure development works of the government.
The Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society (ULCCS), which came into existence in 1925 in the name ‘Koolivelakkarude Paraspara Sahaya Sahakarana Sangham’ (Coolie workers’ co-operative society) with British government registration under the guidance of Vakbadananda Gurudevan, now boasts of an annual turnover of '400 crore.
The society run by labourers has come up with a cyber park, perhaps the only one to do so. It also runs a software company, UL Technologies Solutions, at Technopark in Thiruvananthapuram, which is getting bigger than the society itself.
ULCCS has continued to do what it was set up for: fighting the trends of capitalism and making the labourers the beneficiaries. “We have over 2,000 shareholders who are also our labourers. Our society has grown as Kerala started developing,” Mr Rameshan Paleri, president, told DC.
Mr Rameshan’s family has closely worked with the society and seen its growth from close quarters. “My grandfather Paleri Chandaman and my father Paleri Kanaran Master were presidents of the society. We have followed in their footsteps,” he said.
“It is team work and no individual can claim any credit for its success,” he added. The company is now successfully managing KSRTC's e-ticketing system which was a flop when Keltron managed it. It also runs a crafts village-Iringal Sargalaya- to help the traditional craftsmen.
ULCCS has not found it difficult to get labourers for its work. “Once we thought Malayali labour force would dwindle and started recruiting people from other states. But we are getting more Malayali work force now because of the perks and extra benefits that the society offers. We provide the workers and their families ESI, PF, pension, free education for members’ children, interest-free housing loan and whatever they need. Membership is given to new workers after they complete one year with the society,” Mr Rameshan added.
