The Hindu Business Line : Kerala transport workers withdraw strike call

MOTOR transport workers in the State have decided to withdraw the call for a general strike on February 23, following conciliatory talks convened here by the Transport Minister, Mr R. Balakrishna Pillai. The State Government agreed to act on most of the major demands raised by the unions.

According to a spokesman for the unions, the Minister has agreed to appoint an expert committee that would comprehensively study the problems in the transport sector and come out with a broader transport policy incorporating the views of the unions as well.

The Minister has also agreed to consider revising taxi and autorickshaw fares within three months and review the wages of motor transport workers in consultation with the Department of Labour.

It has also been agreed that the Motor Transport Workers' Welfare Fund Scheme be made applicable to all transport workers and steps be initiated to get all workers registered as members of the scheme to whom identity cards would be issued. Union representatives would be included as members of the district road safety committees and a mechanism be created to provide assistance to transport workers sustaining injuries in accidents.

Digital fare meters would be installed in autorickshaws getting registered from April onwards. Old autorickshaws would have to fall in line with the digital meter norm in stages.

Curbs would be imposed in the grant of permits to taxi cars and autorickshaws and parking facilities created wherever possible. The Government would not insist on autorickshaws getting their tops painted in yellow.

Offices of the Joint Regional Transport Officers would be equipped to issue fitness certificates for vehicles of above 20 years of age. Autorickshaws operating in a particular district would henceforth be permitted to travel 10 km into adjoining districts.

In goods carrying autorickshaws, the hirer of the vehicle would be allowed to travel with the driver. The RTO offices would also be equipped to deal with the requirements for necessary authorisation of tourist taxi operators. The call taxi system would not be permitted.

According to Mr Elamaram Kareem, Convenor of the Worker's Joint Action Council, the Minister has also agreed to place before the Centre those demands that fell under the latter's purview. He has expressed his willingness to hold another round of talks in the presence of the Labour Minister, Mr Babu Divakaran.