It's Mayday for Nokkukooli now

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State Government has banned the pernicious practice of nokkukooli on the eve of the International Workers Day, seeking to end undesirable tendencies in the loading and unloading sector and to promote an atmosphere congenial for development and entrepreneurship in the state. The order, issued by Labour Additional Chief Secretary Tom Jose on Monday, says it will be unlawful and punishable for labourers to demand and accept wages for work not done. 

Employers will have the discretion to contract labour for loading and unloading work in the domestic and agriculture sectors, which are exempt from the purview of the Head load workers act. However, notified wages should be given if workers are drafted from recognized trade unions. Labourers are strictly barred from blocking work sites, threatening, intimidating, assaulting or damaging property of employers or their representatives and demanding excess wages or insisting on work in any sector.

The order said:“It has come to the notice of the state government that certain undesirable tendencies such as excess wage demand and claim of wages for work not done (nokkukooli) are prevalent in loading-unloading sector. In certain sectors, some trade unions stake claims for labour supply. The Government is committed to ending such unhealthy tendencies that affect the comprehensive development and block the growth of entrepreneurship in the State. It is also aimed at promoting a better work culture and bringing in a congenial atmosphere”. 

All head load workers should retain ID cards issued by the Labour Department/Head load Workers Welfare Fund Board. Employers have to stick to loading and unloading wages notified by the district labour officer in each district.  Wages for items of work not mentioned in the notification (schedule) have to be settled on the basis of a mutual agreement. The convener/pool leader should submit a detailed item-wise wages receipt to the employer. Assistant labour officers/district labour officers should initiate prompt steps to recover and return excess wages, if any, collected from employers. In case of members who are part of the Welfare fund board, the excess amount can be realized either through the fund board or revenue recovery.

District labour officers should resolve legal disputes under provisions of the head load workers act. Trade unions should stop supplying labour in certain sectors and take the initiative to end undesirable tendencies in the labour sector. TUs should take proactive steps to create awareness among labour on all such matters. The public should be aware of illegal labour tendencies and approach authorities for legal redress. Labour officers should publish relevant notifications through the media district-wise. They should reach wage rates and other guidelines to the public through residents’ associations, local bodies and voluntary agencies.