Residents of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Pathanamthitta witnessed a disruption in the supply of milk owing to the striking Milma employees. The employees of Milma—which is the brand name of the state government cooperative socity,Kerala Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation—had presented their demands via a joint forum of the employees’ organisations. They primarily sought immediate promotions for those in the lower cadre and withdrawal of police cases against some employees. Promotions have apparently not taken place in four years for the lower-cadre employees, including lab workers, and those working in the factory and marketing department. About 40 staff members working in Kollam have police cases registered against them for trying to stop the promotional interviews of certain employees in the higher grade.
It is reported that a conciliation meeting that took place on 14 May led to the assurance that the complaints against the Milma employees would be withdrawn. Also, it was promised that a meeting of the board would take place to approve this withdrawal. Decisions regarding pending promotions will also be taken during the board meeting today, that is, 15 May as was assured.
Post the meeting on 14 May, the pacified employees called off the strike and also reported for night duty.
Kerala Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (KCMMF) was formed in 1980 as a state adjunct of the national dairy programme, ‘Operation Flood’. Thre three-tiered organisation had 3076 Anand model primary milk co-operative societies as on March 2022 with 10.4 lakh local milk-producing farmers as members. These primary societies are grouped under three Regional Co-operative Milk Producers’ Unions.