Thiruvananthapuram: The labour department’s direction to relieve all labourers from duty between noon and 3pm despite moderate temperature prevailing in the district has not gone down well with builders. The capital experienced a maximum of between 32 and 34 degree temperature this week with intermittent showers. The health department also testifies that the threat of a heat stroke is not there yet. However, with new work timings coming into force, productivity in construction will come down by 20 to 30 per cent, say builders.
The labour department in its directive, said that work shifts could be adjusted between 7am and 7pm but builders do not concur. “No worker will report for work at 7am. They will be ready only by 9am. Also, due to poor light, we are not able to work after 6pm. Our North Indian workers come from places with extreme weather conditions. Temperature below 34 degree is more than bearable for them,” said a reputed builder. But labour department officials said that the new statewide work time revisions came in the context of complaints from Wayanad district.
“We have received complaints from North Kerala to revise the work timing and it seemed to be a very genuine issue in Malabar. We cannot give district-wise orders. Let the builders give a representation to us if they have a problem,” said State Labour Commissioner K Biju. Thiruvananthapuram District Medical Officer (DMO) Jose D’Cruz said that there was no heat stroke warning yet from the health department. “There is no thumb rule that one will suffer a heat stroke when the temperature hits 40 degrees Celsius. However, in the present weather keeping oneself well hydrated can keep you safe. Places like Palakkad and Punalur record heat stroke cases because of the Western Ghats there. This is not applicable to Thiruvananthapuram,” said the DMO.
