Kochi Hindustan Powerlinks labour abuse: Complaint deliberately planned; manager who shot the video got fired

KOCHI: The statement of the youth seen in the video footage has been released, saying that the former manager is behind the labour harassment in the Hindustan Powerlinks marketing firm in Kochi. The youth also says that the labour harassment complaint was deliberately planned. The youth gave his statement to the labour department and the police. The footage was filmed months ago by former manager Manaf, who was fired from the marketing firm. The youth said that the footage got public without his knowledge and that the footage was circulated to make the owner of the firm look bad. The youth also states that he is still working in the same firm.

Earlier, footage emerged showing employees at the marketing firm Hindustan Powerlinks being subjected to brutal harassment. Labour Minister V. Sivankutty had sought a report from the labour officer on the incident. The minister stated that this is an incident that should not happen anywhere and that action will be taken against the harassment. The minister also clarified that the Ernakulam labour officer has been tasked with investigating the incident and submitting a report. Based on the investigation report, other steps will be taken. Such matters will not be accepted moving forward. No institution will be allowed to operate in this manner. Such an incident should not be repeated with any worker, the minister said.