The HC warns that enforcing the ban on ‘nokkukooli’ may harm Kerala’s image

On Friday, the Kerala High Court ordered the state government to end the practice of ‘nokkukooli,’ which it claimed was harming Kerala’s image. Headloaders in Kerala demands money for gawking or looking at individuals loading or unloading cargo, a practice known as nokkukooli.

While hearing a petition filed by a businessman from Kollam over the matter, Justice Devan Ramachandran stated that the rights of the headload workers should be protected legally. The court also noted that the number of applications seeking protection from nokkukooli is increasing throughout the state.

“Kerala’s image is being harmed by the practice of nokkukooli. It should be eradicated. It spreads erroneous perceptions of the state. Meanwhile, the rights of headload workers must be safeguarded “The court stated.

On May 1, 2018, the Kerala government outlawed the outmoded nokkukooli practice, which was exploited by headload laborers to obtain high wages while doing no work. The practice of nokkukooli has led to several clashes between employees and businessmen.

Hearing another petition against the demand for gawking wages, the court stated that such complaints against Nokkukooli were common. The judge noted that this was surprising given that the court had forbidden labor organizations from demanding gawking wages in 2018.

Hearing the lawsuit, the court concluded that the state administration had failed to adequately implement the previous judgment prohibiting the practice.

Following that, the court asked the government pleader to acquire information from the State Police Chief regarding why the earlier ban had not been imposed, as well as the steps and interventions taken by police officers at all levels of authority to implement the order.

The court also summoned the Kerala Director General of Police and served him with a summons.

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