Shame game in Perumbavoor firm triggers massive uproar; atrocious 'dog walk' video goes viral

KOCHI: A shocking incident came to light on Saturday after a video emerged showing how the officers of a direct marketing firm made youngsters in the company walk like dogs with leashes on their necks. They were also forced to eat a banana that was spit upon. This terrible punishment was meted out for not meeting the targets. The appalling atrocity in a state like Kerala has left many in a daze.

The incident took place in Keltro, an establishment in Perumbavoor that sells products of Hindustan Power Links in Kaloor, Ernakulam. The shocking incident came to the public's attention after the video footage surfaced. Four complaints were filed with the Perumbavoor police. Labour Minister V. Sivankutty intervened in the incident. He directed the District Labour Officer to submit a report within three days. The State Youth Commission suo motu took up the case. Youth organizations that came to protest closed the establishment in Kaloor. Palarivattom police inspected Hindustan Power Links.

The company lured young men and women into the trap by promising them attractive salaries. The job involved delivering household items and other items directly to customers’ homes. The youngsters were roped in with the promise of an initial pay of Rs 12,000 and incentives, but the promise was not kept.

Employees will be subjected to humiliation and grotesque punishments if they fail to sell the product worth Rs 2500 within their working hours. Meanwhile, owner Joy Joseph denied reports of labor abuse at Hindustan Powerlinks.

As per reports, Employees will be made to ape dog walk for not meeting targets. They will also be made to lick water from a bowl akin to dogs.

In the incident, the accused, Keltro's general manager, Hubail, was charged with insulting women. He was earlier arrested on the complaint of a young woman, a field staff at the establishment. She was insulted by the GM after he summoned her to the terrace of the office building under the pretext of a meeting.