Houseboat owners plan stir from May 21

Amidst the row over renewing the contract of employees, a section of houseboat owners have threatened to go on an indefinite strike from May 21.

Unions representing the houseboat employees and the owners have been at loggerheads for some time now over pay structure revision. The unions of employees had initially demanded a basic salary of ₹15,000 and a daily allowance of ₹374.

Pact reached

After several rounds of talks and threat of an indefinite strike from May 10, the unions, on May 9, reached an agreement with a section of houseboat owners on pay hike.

As per the agreement, an employee was entitled to a monthly salary of ₹12,000, an increase of ₹1,600 from the present ₹10,400. The daily allowance was increased to ₹290, from the present ₹250.

Only with one union

However, five owner outfits with around 600 boats are yet to accept the pay increase.

“The unions have reached an agreement with only one owner association. We are small-scale players and cannot pay the increased salary. As such, we are left with no choice but to stop boat operations. We will go on an indefinite strike from May 21 if all parties involved do not reach a settlement by then,” said K. Vijayan, secretary, All Kerala Houseboats Owners Associations. Mr. Vijayan has claimed support of other owner associations.

Many boats anchored

Meanwhile, confusion prevails in the sector as several houseboats remain anchored and are not conducting operations.

Officials of the Tourism Department said tourists who arrived unaware of the developments had to change their plans.

“Talks are on at the ministerial level and we are hoping for an early settlement,” said a Tourism Department official.

Not on strike path

P.K. Sajeev Kumar, general secretary, Kerala Houseboat and Resort Workers Union (CITU), said the employees were not on the strike path. “We have already reached an agreement on pay hike and the decision is applicable to all. It is up for the houseboat owners to operate their boats,” he said.