If Sudheer moves ahead with a police complaint, the police will have to book the workers under non-bailable sections.Thiruvananthapuram: The CPM-affiliated Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) has suspended 14 of its workers who charged 'nokkukooli', or the practice of loaders taking money without rendering any service, from actor Sudheer Karamana.
Besides, the workers have been asked to return the money they charged for the work they didn't do. The Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) also decided to suspend seven workers and asked them to return the money they received.
The workers had demanded 'nokkukooli' showing scant regard to the government's recent announcement to stop the illegal practice by organised labour unions in Kerala.
The decision to suspend the workers were taken at a special meeting presided over by CITU district secretary Jayanbabu.
While the CITU and INTUC have responded to criticism, RSS-affiliate Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) is yet to respond or take action against its workers on the issue.
Since he was busy with shooting at Thodupuzha, Sudheer couldn't file a complaint on Monday too. He said he will file a complaint with the police and the labour office once he reaches Thiruvananthapuram.
When the issue snowballed into a controversy, cooperation minister Kadakampally Surendran and CITU leader V Sivankutty spoke to Sudheer on phone.
If Sudheer moves ahead with a police complaint, the police will have to book the workers under non-bailable sections. Besides, the workers’ labour cards too will be cancelled. Foreseeing these trouble, moves are afoot to placate Sudheer.
Though the trade unions have suspended the workers, they haven't made it clear for how long the restriction is valid. Besides, there are differences on the amount that has to be returned, with the workers claiming that they had helped in unloading the goods.
The incident happened on Friday morning at Chackai junction where Sudheer’s house is under construction. The three trade unions demanded Rs 3 lakh 'nokkukooli' for unloading granites that were brought from Bengaluru. The lorry was blocked for six hours and the contractor and his workers were threatened and showered with abuses. Besides, the union workers forcibly entered Sudheer's house also.
At present, the charge is Rs 15,000 to unload 3,000 square feet load. As decided earlier, company workers unloaded the goods for Rs 16,000. When they came to know about this, union workers reached the spot and abused and threatened the contractor who is overseeing the construction of the house. The workers demanded Rs 1 lakh to settle the issue. When the contractor said that he is not willing to cough up such a big amount, the workers got agitated. An altercation ensued and finally they agreed to settle the issue for Rs 25,000. The union workers took the money without giving any receipt.
INTUC district president V R Pratapan said the workers demand can't be justified. More action will be taken after an internal probe. If all the workers were found guilty, the unit itself will be disbanded, he said.
Sudheer to file complaint
Meanwhile, Sudheer has decided to file a complaint once he returns to the city. "I have respect for workers. I also respect their job. But they should not kill others to make a living. They should earn their livelihood. I have always cooperated with workers and their unions. I have heard that action has been taken against erring workers. I have no other information. Once I reach Thiruvananthapuram, I will file a complaint. Ever since the work began, unloading work was done by union workers only. This time company workers were engaged to avoid damage to granite slabs. They were paid Rs 16,000. But, it was not right on the part of union workers to charge money without rendering any service. If they had at least done some work, then nobody would have any issue," the actor said.
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