Defying the safety norms set by the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) and the police, a number of private construction agencies and contractors in the district are using lorries and other goods carriers to transport migrant labourers from their camps to worksites.
Though it is illegal to transport people on goods vehicles, MVD flying squads and the police rarely take action against such acts.
“The issue can be addressed only through a strong enforcement drive by the police and MVD. The Labour Department too can support it by initiating action against contractors or agencies involved in such acts,” says District Labour Officer (Enforcement) V.P. Rajan. He also points out that the transportation of labourers on goods vehicles is an open violation of safety norms.
The number of people accommodated in such vehicles is beyond one’s expectation. Workers are forced to sit in the limited space and suffocating environment.
“The risk is high as workers carry their tools such as spades, masonry trowels, shovels and other sharp equipment along with them in the vehicle. The situation will be worse if such vehicles meet with an accident,” says N.T. Vinod, an ex-serviceman from Chevayur. He also points out that enforcement wings can easily crack down on such practices by visiting some of the regular boarding points of workers near the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital.
Meanwhile, the police say the Labour Department should issue a strong directive to construction agencies and employers against the practice.