Kerala High Court Lashes Out At Practice Of ‘Nokkukooli’, Says Militant Trade Unionism Still Exists

The observation was made by Justice Devan Ramachandran while hearing a petition filed by a hotel owner in Kollam seeking police protection to unload materials using its own workers.

Kerala High Court | PTI File Image

Chennai: The Kerala High Court on Thursday lashed out at the practice of head load workers demanding ‘Nokkukooli’ (gawking wages) in the state. 

The observation was made by Justice Devan Ramachandran while hearing a petition filed by a hotel owner in Kollam seeking court's intervention to provide police protection to unload materials using its own workers.

He orally said that he was disappointed that the practice still continues despite a ban and repeated directions by the High Court. 

Quoting the court, a report in The Hindu stated that it did not want to hear the word ‘Nokkukooli’ ever again and the usage of the word should be discontinued. Investors were scared to invest in the state because of militant trade unionism and such a situation should be reversed, the court said. 

The court further said that if an employer fails to engage a head load worker, then they should approach the concerned officials under the Kerala Head Load Workers Act, instead of taking up violence in their hands. 

The court, as per the report, pointed out how the reputation of the state was affected when head load workers caused obstructions while unloading materials at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre In Thiruvananthapuram. 

Pointing out that ‘Nokkukooli’ still exists in the state, the court said that strong action should be taken against those who demand the charges irrespective of the party or union they belong to and the redressal mechanism should be strengthened to resolve the issues.