Kerala firm forces employees to crawl on knees, pick up coins for not meeting targets

A probe has been ordered by the labour department. (Representational image)

A private marketing firm in Kerala has been accused of extreme workplace harassment towards its underperforming employees. It allegedly forced them to crawl on their knees like chained dogs and lick coins from the floor.

The state's labour department has ordered a probe into the allegations of degrading treatment after disturbing visuals from the workplace were aired on local television channels, reported PTI.

Kerala's labour minister, V Sivankutty, has ordered the district labour officer to submit an immediate report on the incident. He termed the visuals “shocking and disturbing" and said it cannot be accepted at any cost in a state like Kerala.

In the video, a person can be seen using a leash to force a man to crawl on his knees on the floor, resembling a dog. Employees told local TV channels, as per ANI, that they were subjected to degrading punishments by the firm's management when they failed to achieve targets.

Meanwhile, the police said that the incident allegedly took place in connection with a private marketing firm functioning in Kaloor and the crime allegedly occurred at nearby Perumbavoor. They also informed that they haven’t received any complaints on the matter, and the owner had denied the allegations, according to a report by News18.

“No case has been registered so far, and an investigation is underway," an officer said.

The State Human Rights Commission has registered a case in connection with the incident based on a complaint filed by high court lawyer Kulathoor Jaisingh.

Further, the Kerala State Youth Commission has also intervened and registered a separate case regarding the alleged harassment at the marketing firm.

They have directed the district police chief to submit a report and called for strict legal action against such unacceptable practices.

The company’s treatment of its employees has sparked concerns about workplace abuse and dignity.