Normal life thrown out of gear in Kerala; private bus, taxi, and autorickshaw workers also joined in, causing significant inconvenience for commuters
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Normal life was thrown out of gear in Kerala on Thursday due to a 24-hour nationwide strike called by central trade unions protesting the Centre's Labour Codes.
Public transport services, including inter-state operations, as well as schools, colleges, and other educational institutions, shops, commercial establishments, banking, and the government sector, were badly hit across the state. The Kerala State Transport Corporation (KSRTC) saw its operations severely disrupted, with many employees aligned with the agitating trade unions participating in the strike.
Private bus, taxi, and autorickshaw workers also joined in, causing significant inconvenience for commuters.
Government offices across the state, including the State Secretariat, saw low attendance as employee organisations participated in the strike. While Left-led employee groups joined in, staff unions affiliated with the Congress and UDF stayed away.
The CPM-led state government declared a dies non for the day, warning that employees who skipped work without valid reasons would lose a day’s salary. Hartal organizers exempted essential services like milk supply, newspapers, and medical stores from the strike, and pilgrims traveling to Sabarimala temple and Maramon were also spared from the agitation.
The strike didn’t have a major impact on the IT sector, as authorities arranged transport services to ensure employees could reach their offices. Kochi Metro Rail and online taxi services continued to operate, providing relief to commuters.
Minor incidents were reported during the agitation, including protesters blocking teachers from entering a school in Puthiyangadi, which led to an altercation between rival groups.
CITU national general secretary Elamaram Kareem strongly defended the strike, calling it a success as workers turned out in overwhelming support. Speaking at a protest meeting in Kochi, he said workers were being exploited by big corporates. CPM state secretary M V Govindan criticized the Congress leadership for allegedly preventing INTUC workers from joining the nationwide strike. He also alleged that workers affiliated with the Muslim League's trade union wing, STU, stayed away from the agitation.
