Fixed Rates for Headload Workers

KOCHI: Amid the ongoing controversy about the reported ‘nokkukooli’ at the Vyttila Mobility Hub, the authorities have decided to take steps to fix labour rates of headload workers at the Mobility Hub. Based on a direction from the hub authorities, district labour officials on Thursday visited the mobility hub and checked the activities of loading and unloading in the hub. The officials said that the labour charges will be fixed in a couple of days. A decision has also been made to issue identity cards to labourers at the mobility hub. “So far we have not received any complaints in this regard. However based on reports, we have asked the District Labour Officer to check the activities of the loading and unloading in the hub. We have also requested him to provide us the tariff of loading and unloading,” said Mobility Hub Managing Director M Beena. There were reports  about 'nokkukooli' being collected from commuters carrying small packets at the mobility hub. “As there are different unions of labourers, we will be providing identity cards as entry license to work in the hub. The loading and unloading tariff will be displayed at the mobility hub for commuters so that if they find violations, they can report to the police aid post or the hub society office” said M Beena.Based on the direction by the hub officials, a team of officials led by District Labour Officer (Enforcement) M K Mohan Kumar visited the mobility hub and carried out an inspection. Based on the inspection a report will be submitted soon. “The loading and unloading activities at the mobility hub were checked. So far we have not come across any violations. The loading and unloading charges are different at different places. Tariff at the mobility hub will be fixed according to the charges at Vytilla. The tariff is usually fixed for 2-3 years and it has to be fixed,” said District Labour officer Narayanan Namboothiri. Meanwhile security officials with the mobility hub said that there were no 'nokkukooli' issues yet but there were issues where voluntary assistance was given to commuters by headload workers and then claiming charges. Headload workers at the mobility hub said that they are collecting only nominal charges and they are not taking any 'nokkukooli'.