KOZHIKODE: The head load workers at Big Bazar (Veliyangadi), the largest wholesale grocery market in Malabar, continue to work in the summer heat during the day despite the fact that the government advises people to avoid working in the sun between noon and 3pm.
Finding it difficult, the head load workers union in the region has filed a written petition to the Labour officer seeking permission to revise the working schedule of the labourers here. It can be recalled that the labour officer had recommended that migrant labourers work after 3pm because of high temperatures, considered by the Indian Meteorological Department as the highest in recent history.
“Posters advising the precaution by the State Health Department can be seen on the walls all around the city,” said Harshad MP, a head load worker at Big Bazar here. “But our work continues without any break during the day time. We are getting really exhausted working in this scorching sun and since our work requires lots of stamina to carry huge weights on head, we badly need a break at least during a few hours of day time,” he added saying they had filed a petition with the Labour officer, so that their work schedule, at least for the next one month, was revised.
“Although the State government recommends that people save themselves from extreme summer heat during day time, these recommendations are not being made applicable in our work,” he pointed out. According to Joint Labour Commissioner KM Sunil, a government order exists recommending that labourers should not be made to work between noon and 3 pm.
He added that this order was being followed by a majority of employers. “Now since reports are coming about head load workers working in the extreme heat, we will hold a meeting with the employers recommending that they give a break during afternoon hours and extend their work schedule in the evening,” he added.
