'Gawking wages' a shame, says HC

KOCHI: Terming it a shame, the Kerala High Court on Monday expressed concern over the increasing incidents of collecting ‘Nokkukooli’ or ‘gawking wages’ by workers for loading and unloading activities.
Justice S Siri Jagan observed that it was a shame that notwithstanding the fact that the government had declared Nokkukooli illegal, instances of demanding it were being reported from the state.
The court pointed out that a Division Bench had already prohibited the demand and acceptance of ‘gawking wages’.
The government pleader submitted that it was the policy of the government to eradicate such a practice. The court said that a recent incident in Thiruvananthapuram Airport in which NRIs were asked to pay the illegal money had proved otherwise.
The incident would disprove the sincerity of the government on the issue. Then the Government Pleader said that if the names of persons were pointed out the government would take stringent action against them.
The court made the observation while considering a petition filed by the Kasargod District Ration Wholesale Dealers Association against the Food Corporation of India workers union’s demand for ‘gawking wages’ at the FCI outlets. The court sought the government’s stand and adjourned the matter.  The court pointed out that the association had entered into an agreement with the FCI workers union represented by Eruvatt Mohan, for the smooth conduct of loading.
According to the agreement, an extra payment of `410 is given for loading 10 tonnes of food grains into lorries. The government pleader sought time to take appropriate action against the persons.
The FCI workers’ union submitted that they neither demanded nor received `410.
The petitioner submitted that loading of food grains for supply to the wholesale dealer has been carried out by FCI through its workers. However, the loading workers have been making illegal demands.