Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched a blistering attack on Kerala’s labor practices during a fiery session in the Rajya Sabha, directly targeting the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) over the controversial issue of nokkukooli and the alleged closure of industries in the state.
Often dubbed as “gawking wages,” nokkukooli refers to laborers demanding payment merely for observing goods being unloaded, even if they do not participate in the work. Sitharaman asserted that such practices, along with CPM’s industrial policies, have crippled Kerala’s business environment, deterring investors and stifling economic growth.
Her remarks sparked a fierce backlash from Kerala’s state officials, with Labour Minister V Sivankutty slamming the statements as misleading and unfairly tarnishing Kerala’s labor laws. He invited Sitharaman to visit the state and witness the actual employment scenario firsthand.
This high-voltage exchange has reignited tensions between the central government and Kerala’s administration over labor reforms. As the debate rages on, it raises pressing questions about Kerala’s industrial future and its ability to attract investments in an evolving economic landscape.
