KOCHI: After Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi will become the second city in the state to become ‘Nokkukooli-free’. Labour Minister Shibu Baby John will make the declaration in this regard on January 14. The decision to eliminate the practice of ‘Nokkukuli’ in Kochi was taken following the discussions held by the minister with the leaders of various trade unions on January 2. In the meeting, a consensus was reached between various trade union leaders, merchants’ associations and residential associations. The trade union leaders have extended their full cooperation for the move. Nokkukooli is an unofficial labour practice under which wages are demanded by headload workers for allowing people to load and unload materials on their own or with the help of machines or labourers hired by them.The loading and unloading charges of construction materials and household items have been revised in view of the complaints that a section of workers was demanding exorbitant rates. The rate for each article was decided at a meeting held on January 9 and 10 between the Regional Joint Labour Commissioner and various unions leaders. As per the scheme, the fare for articles to be unloaded can be remitted in advance at the post offices and Akshaya centres. The applicant has to submit three copies of the application form along with payment. The original copy will be kept in the bank, the duplicate with the applicant and the third copy will be given to the workers who unload the articles. As per the agreement, a house owner has all right to load and unload household items. And if the service of headload workers is needed, they can approach the unions. The rates for loading and unloading has been fixed upto 12 metres from the spot of unloading. As the distance increases, the rate varies and for every 12 metres, an additional 20 per cent of the rate has to be given, the agreement said. An additional 20 per cent of the rate has to be given for items to be shifted up to the third floor if the lift is not used. For more than three floors, an additional 35 per cent has to be given. If lift is used, the amount will fall to 20 per cent. For packed and luxurious items, separate rates would be levied. All the revised rates would be in vogue till March and after that a revised rate would be published, the District Labour Office said. In case of any dispute, the Headload Workers Welfare Fund Board and District Labour Office can be contacted. The grievences can also be registered through the Labour Department’s 24 hour helpline number 155300-3. The grievences would be addressed within 12 hours. The complaints can also be taken up directly with the State Labour Minister’s Office on the website www.minister-labour.kerala.gov.in and his personal website www.shibubabyjohn.in and also through Labour Commissionerate website www.lc.kerala.gov.in.
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