Deal to avoid disruptions

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Kochi: In an attempt to ensure a smooth run for the Kochi Metro rail project, a high-level meeting convened here on Tuesday to resolve the labour disputes at the construction sites, decided that the project would be made ‘disruption-free’.
In a meeting attended by Transport Minister Aryadan Muhammad, Labour Minister Shibu Baby John, representatives of the Kochi Metro Rail Limited and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, representatives of trade unions and contractors agreed to an amicable settlement. The meeting mooted a five-point agenda for redressing labour problems.
The decision will be a major relief for both KMRL and DMRC which have been trying hard to stick to the project completion deadline.
“A two-tire system will be introduced for the redress of labour issues. A committee headed by the District Collector and Regional Joint Labour Commissioner as convener, consisting of representatives of KMRL, DMRC and contractors, will handle the labour issues in the first phase. If this fails, a higher committee chaired by the Labour Minister will address the issue. The Transport Minister, Managing Director of KMRL, senior officials of DMRC and central trade union representatives will be the members of the committee and the Labour Commissioner will be the convener”, said Minister Shibu Baby John.
The minister said there needed to be more clarity on the productivity of labourers in metro worksites. A uniform pattern had to be followed regarding the issue of productivity, for which further discussions were needed, he said. As per the negotiations, workers would be given more flexibility in working at different sites. “When workers are shifted to different sites, their existing wages have to be ens­ured”, the minister said.
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Aryadan Muhammad added that the contractors and trade unions could jointly take a decision regarding the work on holidays and hartals called by national parties.