In Kerala, where hartals declared by even miniscule political groups become a huge success, Wednesday’s 24-hour nationwide strike called by trade unions to protest against the Centre’s labour reforms, turned into a virtual shutdown.
Vehicles kept off the roads, shops, commercial establishments and educational institutions remained closed and Government offices recorded skeletal attendance almost across the State on Wednesday but private vehicles could be seen moving cautiously in rural areas and on main city roads by the evening.
The strike was total but no serious incidents of violence were reported from anywhere in the State though some incidents of blocking of vehicles and employees trying to enter offices for work was reported. Members of the striking trade unions took out demonstrations in almost all major centres of the State under police watch.
As the public transport system remained inert, passengers reaching the three airports and major railway stations had a tough time but the police had arranged parallel travel facilities for them though this was no entirely adequate.
The strike brought Thiruvananthapuram, the State’s capital city, and Kochi, its commercial capital, to a virtual standstill as trade and commercial establishments remained closed and vehicles kept off the roads. Government offices, including the State Secretariat in the capital, recorded less than 50 per cent employee attendance.
The Government had declared dies non (no-work no-pay system) for Government employees absent from work without valid reasons. It had also decided not to permit leave of employees except in unavoidable circumstances. District Collectors had been instructed to ensure protection of the employees who were reporting on duty.
Reports of altercations and scuffles following attempts to block vehicles came from several parts of the State. Agitators allegedly roughed up some teachers who had reached a Government school at Ambalavayal near Suthan Bathery in Wayanad for work. Two teachers were admitted to the hospital but doctors said their injuries were not serious.
The strike did not affect the IT sector of Kochi much. Infopark, Kochi’s major IT facility, reported over 70 per cent employee attendance. Several companies functioning at the Infopark had allowed their employees to work from home on Wednesday.