The Hindu : Kerala News : Need to end practices that harm State’s image

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Tuesday, May 13, 2008
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Kerala

Kerala

Need to end practices that harm State’s image

Communist Party of India (Marxist) State secretary Pinarayi Vijayan has come out against the practice of charging “nokkukooli” which has prevailed in Kerala for a number of years. Other political parties across the spectrum have supported the view. Our readers respond to this development, as well as on whether there is a need to have a relook at any other similar practices:

Improve work culture

CPI(M) State secretary Pinarayi Vijayan’s denunciation of ‘nokkukooli’ has done much good already in that public indignation at this obnoxious practice of extorting money for work not done has been brought into focus.

Trade unionism enjoys political patronage. This means a kind of insulation against police interference in case of complaints. Rude behaviour, abusive language, intimidation and extortion of high wages spring from this sense of protection. Union leaders get a share of the booty too. The absence of a good work culture has vitiated our productive sector. Leaders who pamper unionists have to be held responsible for the uncongenial industrial climate in the State. It is no exaggeration to say that there are headload workers who earn Rs.1,000 per day. At the same time, a large number of labourers toil for a pittance.

Workers have to be taught self-respect. Money earned from labour alone is valuable. Extortion of money is nothing but a criminal act. Society needs labourers and vice-versa. A healthy relationship between labourers and the public is necessary for progress. Recognition for work done is to be earned. Love the work first, then take the money. Such a positive mindset will work wonders in the prevailing situation in the State.

N.K. Vijayan

Kizhakkambalam

Plan a strategy

‘Nokkukooli’ is a bad patch on the State which professes to have a highly literate populace. The tentacles of trade union activism have spread so far as to impede any labour related activity. It is common knowledge that transporters from outside the State decline to undertake any unloading operations here; they entrust it to the consignee. Such trade union adventurism as we see today is nothing new. We have learnt to live with it. Nevertheless, the reported statements of our politicians that demanding ‘nokkukooli’ amounts to extortion is welcome. Extortion is a cognizable offence under Section 384 of the IPC but who will take the initiative the lodge complaints?

The present lot of headload workers are well organised. Their perceptions and aspirations are different. In this backdrop, ending ‘nokkukooli’ in one shot might be wishful thinking. It is no longer enough to look at this purely as a functional exercise. It has to be seen as a strategic exercise. Only a collective negotiated understanding with a definite rehabilitation plan can bring about a gradual change.

M.M. Pillai

Perumbavoor

Little impact

CPI(M) State Secretary Pinarayi Vijayan’s statements against ‘nokkukooli,’ though welcome, will not be taken by labourers and their unions at face value. They will somehow or the other continue with the practice. The rule that goods brought in a truck by the owners to their premises can be handled by them or their workers has had little effect in most cases. Pinarayi’s statements may also be seen in the same way.

C. George Varghese

Thrissur

Question of dignity

Are labourers within their rights to demand ‘nokkukooli’ just to be remain spectators? In fact, we should have got rid of this practice long ago. ‘Nokkukooli’ is easy money and encourages people to be lazy. It is as bad as corruption, if not worse.

At a time when we face price hike, scarcity of foodgrains, not to mention labour shortage, the State can provide a safety net to this category of workers by finding them alternative jobs in various sectors. Remember, the world does not owe them a living. ‘Nokkukooli’ is so ridiculous that a movement against it is essential.

K.G. Koru Kuttan Nair

Cherpalcheri

Enact laws to check it

It is believed that Kerala lags behind in industry because investors shy away from setting up shop here owing to unnecessary interference from trade unions. Half-hearted attempts made by various governments in the past have not improved the situation.

Now, political parties are raising their voice against the practice of ‘nokkukooli,’ which is spreading to all sectors and must be stopped. The theory ‘remuneration for work done only’ should apply.

‘Nokkukooli’ not only imposes an unnecessary burden on the people, but also leads to law and order problems. There can be no justification for this practice. If no law exists now, law should be enacted to stop it.

Ambalath Aboobakar

Thrissur

Respect rights of all

The statement of CPI(M) leader Pinarayi Vijayan is commendable.

Naked show of union activism has adversely affected the industrial and transport sectors. Consumers are forced to pay huge sums to maintain schedules dominated by the time factor and prevent additional monetary loss.

Industrialists have been shying away from our State for fear of trade unionism. Forceful levy of charges for a job that has not been carried out is illogical and uncivilised. If the trade unions have the liberty to exercise their rights, the same ‘rights’ are also available to those from whom the money is been extorted.

The public will wholeheartedly welcome any change.

Capt. O.B. Nair

Poonithura

Despicable practice

That no other language exactly articulates ‘nokkukooli’ shows how unique the idea is, just as it is dubious and despicable.

Extortion is the nearest in sense, but however dastardly it is, extortion has some claim to ‘ethics’ and ‘dignity’ in that its practitioners do not debase it by letting others do it as they stand by; ‘nokkukooli’ is a case of absolute idleness and abject passivity.

This passivity extends to hartals, which are rarely observed elsewhere with as much ‘solemnity’ as in Kerala.

The tendency to crawl when asked only to bend was evident recently as Kerala alone ground to a halt while the rest of the country hardly heeded the exhorters’ call.

Devraj Sambasivan

Alappuzha

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