Ernakulam declared nokku kooli-free district

KOCHI: Ernakulam has become the second ‘nokku kooli-free district’ in the state. Union Minister of State for Food and Consumer Affairs K V Thomas made the declaration, here on Saturday. According to him, Ernakulam, one of the fastest growing districts in the state, needs a serene atmosphere for its industries to develop and grow. “The declaration comes as a big relief to both the public and the private sectors where a large number of industries are growing at a faster pace,” said K V Thomas. He also said that the lack of skilled labourers is another major issue faced by almost all sectors. Labour Minister Shibu Baby John who presided over the function said that the policies of the government was not to bring in a new law but to strengthen the Kerala Head Load Workers Act and Rules, 2006.“The exploitation in the name of labourers will come to an end with the new declaration,” he said.He said that the misconception about the labour culture was fast changing. “It was a matter of relief that the labour unions themselves came forward to materialise the proposal,” he said. The Labour Minister also said that certain issues such as the exploitation of nurses had to be looked into. In raids conducted by the Labour Department in 370 hospitals, it was revealed that none of these hospitals had followed labour rules. The officials as well as the public should come forward against it,” he said. Excise Minister K Babu launched the website  displaying the new loading and unloading charges. Mayor Tony Chammany, Hibi Eden MLA and Anwar Sadat MLA were also present.