Tarnishes State's Reputation: Kerala High Court Urges Complete Abolition Of Gawking Wages In The State

The Kerala High Court on Friday condemned the ongoing practice of charging 'gawking wages' in the State despite a Government Order in 2018 to abolish the same. Popularly referred to as nokukooli in Malayalam, this is a much-reviled practice where loaders charge fees without working. 

Justice Devan Ramachandran while criticising the same, remarked as such:

"I find that complaints relating to demand for gawking charges (nokukooli) have been coming before this Court on a regular basis. This is surprising because I am aware that the Government has already issued an order banning such demand from any Trade Union. Nokkukooli is tarnishing the image and spreading misconceptions about the State."

Therefore, the Court called for the effective implementation of the government order by the competent authorities. It was additionally highlighted that there is a legal system in place in the country to protect the rights of labourers, which must not be compromised. 

The State government responded that it had taken a strong stance against the practice since it came into power.

The criticism came while considering a petition seeking police protection against the practice. Accordingly, the Bench directed the State Police Chief to inform the Court why the Order has not been implemented, and what steps have been taken by the Police at the different levels to do so. 

Accordingly, the Director-General of Police was suo motu impleaded in the matter as an additional respondent. 

Till the next date of hearing, the Court has directed the respondents to refrain from taking the law into their hands or to make any illegal demands against the petitioner or his workers in any manner. 

It was also directed that law and order shall be maintained without any infraction of peace at the hands of any person. 

The matter has been listed on 10th September for further consideration. 

'Gawking wages' is a term used to refer to the extortion by organized labour unions in Kerala under which wages are paid to trade union activists for allowing common householders/ investors/builders to unload belongings/materials using machines or their own labour