Labour Department cracks down on nokku kooli

The Labour Department has lodged a complaint with the Director General of Police against a sub-inspector who reportedly conceded the demand of a few workers for ‘nokkukooli' in Palluruthy.

The workers concerned have been temporarily deprived of their jobs. The incident took place at the construction site of the house of S. Rajesh, who is the SI at the Palluruthy Kasba police station. Workers made the unfair demand in connection with the unloading of sand. The SI reportedly conceded the demand to facilitate the completion of the work.

At the insistence of Labour Minister Shibu Baby John, Labour Department officials intervened in the issue resulting in the workers returning the nokkukooli. The workers had collected about Rs.1,500 in connection with the unloading of multiple loads. As per the labour welfare fund, the charge for unloading as many loads should not have exceeded Rs.700.

Workers V.M. Antony, Robert, and K.P. Shaijan coming under the 42nd pool of the Workers' Welfare Fund Board, Ernakulam committee, have been temporarily kept away from work over the incident.

‘End nokkukooli'

In the complaint, the Labour Department notes that instead of stopping the practice of nokkukooli using the official machinery, the police official had adopted a position which only encouraged it. Mr. John urged people to react strongly to put an end to the practice of nokkukooli in all sectors.