Date:11/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/11/stories/2008091155551300.htm

National

Kerala houseboat workers’ strike off

Staff Reporter

ALAPPUZHA: The strike by the Kerala Houseboat and Resort Workers’ Union, demanding a hike in wages, has been called off following talks convened by leaders of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Centre of Indian Trade Unions between the workers and houseboat owners.

Both sides agreed for a compromise over the wages and for an Onam-season bonus of Rs.3,500 for the workers. The salaries will go up from Rs.2,000 to Rs.3,500. The daily allowance will be increased from Rs. 100 to Rs.110.

The strike, which began on September 5, had paralysed the houseboat sector in Alappuzha, leading to a loss of around Rs.25 lakh a day.