Staffer's death sparks debate over trade unions' handling of luxe cars

Headload workers charge ₹4000 for high-end vehicles, claiming rights to unload such cars

- Krishna Kumar K E @Kochi

A tragic incident at a Kochi car dealership has reignited a long-simmering debate: Should untrained trade union workers be allowed to unload high-end vehicles?

On the night of June 22, a brand-new Range Rover worth around ₹4.5 crore went out of control while being unloaded from a trailer at a dealer yard in Chalikkavattom. The car crushed Roshan Antony Xavier, 36, a dealership staffer, to death. He was standing nearby when the vehicle, reportedly being handled by a trade union worker, veered off course. One of the union workers sustained minor injuries. The Palarivattom police have booked a case against the worker involved.

"Our demand is that only trained personnel should unload the vehicles, and that the government should give it legal backing. In our case, after a couple of minor mishaps, we insisted on doing the task with our expert staff. But even then, the trade unions charge 'nokkukooli'," Sabu Johny, an office-bearer, Kerala Automobile Dealers Association, told TNIE.