Here's what my belief says - when it comes to house shifting in Kerala, one of the hassles is the task of dealing with the labour unions in the locality. Why? B'cos, they are given the de-facto rights to load and unload material things from the house.
This vested right given to the labor unions in Kerala are often misused.
There are many cases of highhandedness by the labour union in Kerala, due to which general public have a love hate relationship with them. This has caused negative perception, people go any length to avoid dealing with these people.
Two key reasons:
1. They often charge high loading or unloading charges
2. Often they create ruckus, bad mouth, if customers don't oblige
There are quite number of YouTube videos, TV news report on how it's played out in front of the public. Also, satirical series like Marimayam Series has few episodes about labour union, and of-course Village Office related topics are the butt of their jokes!
Ep 314 - Less work; more money- Single Shot Marimayam |
Ep 55 Part 3 - 'Nokku kooli' matters
[ This post is NOT ABOUT mending the ways of union guys engaged in loading and unloading work in Kearla]
This Post is About a New Way of Upgrading the Service as Times are Changing!
Here's a recent scenario which was played near my house in Trivadnrum. Recently, a tenant shifted from her rental place. She told us when when she was leaving and I could see that she shifted most things in her car.
And, one night around 10PM, I saw a tempo ( a pick up truck with a fairly large bed) inside the compound. And, in that night they shifted all their big furniture, fridge, cot, etc. ( Mission Accomplished, hush hush)
Similar story was played when the new tenant moved in. First I saw the lady of the house bringing many handy stuffs in her car. And, then one night, there was a truck inside the compound with few men, unloading the household stuffs. Again, mission successful! No dealing with local union fellas! Just played out in the dark!
As you see, most people don't want unwanted trouble, especially during house shifting.
In one way - the unions are loosing their money as people find others ways to circumvent them!
So, what's the next best way for labour unions to change!
This is when I thought of apps on Play store! Even Facebook or Instagram has a more lighter version of their app. ( Instagram Lite!)And, I wonder if something similar could be done here!
Create a App for Labour Unions for loading and Unloading Work!
In the current scenario,, if I want to hire union guys for shifting, I need to go and see them at their camp, which is usually a shed by the road side.
In Kumarapuram, there's a small shed by the road side, in Mananthala, it's next to the junction and at Kannanmoola, it's near the kannamoola bridge and so forth.
So, the process of hiring them is tedious. You call them, show them the stuffs, negotiate rates with them, and then strike a deal. After it's done, you have to hire a vehicle and start shifting. This is process with too many hassles!
What if there's a better way, using a mobile app? So, here comes the new age Avatar of Union Folks!
Introducing a Union App for Labour Unions in Kerala!
What if a new app is introduced which connects users to the labour unions! Here's how it works!
1. Create an App ( in the model of Packers and Movers)
2. Change the current dress code of Union ( No more Blue and Red or Orange color shirt ) Redesign it to a very positive, friendly and lively color. Include women members in their team!
2. Promote the app through govt sites and news
4. Using the app, a user can book a service under 2 minutes or they can schedule one at a future date.
5. User can tap the location, time and even upload the video of the items to be shifted. Based on the visual date or physical verification, an estimator will come to evaluate the price.( The person who come to estimate can be lady If it's a lady, then it will bring a positive change to the male dominated labour force.
3. The rates charged will be standardized and in par with the market prices ( Nothing extra) Probably, an additional surcharge for online support, app development, and labour welfare fund, etc) Basically, everything is transparent and hassle free. Also, professional behavior and dealing.
4. Create a 24/7 tele-customer support team ( one number across Kerala) to take booking or to know the rates, etc. Also, they can get a rough estimate by uploading the a clip of the items to be transported. ( What say? Yes, that's possible.
5. Once the customer agrees to the estimate, they sign a contract for the work and a token fee can be paid online. The details of the work will be uploaded on the app as a project.
6. The person who comes to take the estimate will ask the owner more options. For example, the type of of vehicle required, packaging material, cardboard boxes required, boxes for packing fragile material, also they will have reusable boxes where ceramic plates and cups can be packed) Basically, a modern and scientific way of packing is offered.
7. Also, they can offer additional service, like cleaning the house after shifting. Dusting, moping, and even slight paint touch-up so that the house is ready for the next occupant. Here, the union fellas can tie-up with a deep cleaning service provider to get it done or they can do it by themselves as a another service.
8. And, if all goes well, on the designated time, the new friendly and trained labour union fellows will come to their doorstep, and in a methodical way they will shift things from the house.
And, bingo! People are happy and so are the union folks!
Welcome to the New Kerala Project for bringing positive change to our state. Its for the people, by the people!
What do you thing of this idea or a makeover plan?
Will it work?
Curious Konnections
Btw, the existing union setup can work for sometime, focusing on shifting goods ( loading machines or marble or such big stuffs to apartments and biz) This can later can be merged to the app!
Btw, I guess I have to write or share this post to these leading Trade Unions in Kerala and see what they will have to say about this Packers and Movers Idea!
Shall I write to these union offices to know their opinion about my suggestion? What will be their counter point? Btw, what will happen when humanoids becomes common and what if they can lift twice the strenght of human without any fear of physical toil?
Anyways, people might think that senario is not happening in the near future. However, going by the pace of research and innovation in this field, things might come a bit too early than what we bargained for!
Btw, these are the major unions in Kerala. Did I miss anyone?
1. Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) http://www.citucentre.org/
2. Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)
3. Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) https://www.bms.org.in/
4 All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC)
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