Mathamangalam CITU dispute: Can't accept court verdict which questions the right to work; says Anathalavattom

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CITU state president Ananthalavattom Anandan has said that he will not accept the court verdict in the Mathamangalam loading and unloading dispute. The CITU is of the view that it cannot accept the judgment of the court questioning the right to work.

Employees of SR Associates hardware store in Mathamangalam cannot accept the High Court verdict that issued Labor Card to them. The High Court verdict is against the Kerala Loading and Unloading Act. However, Anathalavattom said the law is not applicable to malls as they fall under the Special Economic Zone.

A decision was taken yesterday to reopen the SR Associates hardware store in Mathamangalam, which was closed down due to an indefinite strike by the CITU following a dispute in loading and unloading. The decision was taken after discussions between the Labor Commissioner, the shop owner Rabeeh and the CITU leadership in Thiruvananthapuram. When the shop was shut down following the CITU blockade, it became a controversy and the govt was ready for a discussion. Thinking that Mathamangalam agitation could become a topic of discussion in the Assembly, the Labor Commissioner was asked to resolve the issue immediately.