ULCCS now manages assets worth ₹5,319 crore and oversees infrastructure projects valued at ₹7,000 crore. Of these, developments worth ₹3,000 crore have already been completed. The organisation’s portfolio spans over 300 infrastructure ventures, including roads, bridges, and buildings.
Published Jan 06, 2025 | 7:00 AM ⚊ Updated Jan 06, 2025 | 7:00 AM
With a robust workforce exceeding 20,000 individuals, including 15,000 skilled labourers and 1,500 engineers, ULCCS continues to set benchmarks in the construction industry.
The Kerala government has announced an ambitious plan to rehabilitate survivors of the devastating Mundakkai–Chooralmala landslide in Wayanad.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan unveiled the blueprint for constructing two state-of-the-art townships, a project that underscores the government’s commitment to restoring lives and livelihoods in the affected region.
Spanning 58.5 hectares at Nedumbala Estate in Kottapadi village and 48.96 hectares at Elstone Estate in Kalpetta village, the project is set to cost an estimated ₹750 crore.
A notable highlight of the initiative is the selection of the Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society (ULCCS) as the lead contractor, with the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board Consultancy (KIIFCON) providing project oversight.
This decision brings attention to ULCCS’s inspiring journey from a modest start with just 36 paise in capital to becoming a cooperative powerhouse with assets worth ₹5,319 crore. This township project not only addresses the immediate needs of those displaced by natural disasters but also showcases the potential of Kerala’s cooperative movement.
The ULCCS’s involvement exemplifies the success of the “Uralungal model,” highlighting the vital role cooperatives can play in transforming communities and shaping infrastructure development in the state.
Paleri Remeshan, Chairman of the Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society (ULCCS Ltd), traces its origin to the visionary teachings of Vagbhatananda Guru, a prominent figure of the Kerala Renaissance. In the early 20th century, Uralungal in Kozhikode faced extreme poverty, with no employment opportunities for its people.
ULCCS’s origin could be traced back to the teachings of Vagbhatananda Guru.
Inspired by the Guru’s discourse at the Puthalath temple in Mahe in 1917, a group of villagers invited him to their homeland.
Under his leadership, a spiritual school was established in Karakkad. When unemployed youth approached him with skepticism, the Guru encouraged collective action rather than despair. He proposed forming a cooperative to organise laborers willing to work.
On 13 February 1925, the Unemployed Mutual Assistance Group of Mercantile Workers registered the Uralungal Kooli Velakarude Paraspara Sahaya Sahakarana Sangham, later known as ULCCS.
Starting with small projects like constructing fences, wells, and walls, it grew into a trusted organisation responsible for major highways, flyovers, and infrastructure projects in Kerala.
They collectively undertake the job by securing a contract and share the profits as well.
Guided by principles of integrity, quality, and corruption-free operations, ULCCS continues to empower communities and uphold the cooperative spirit envisioned by its founders.
Workers for workers — this principle serves as the foundation of the Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society Limited (ULCCS), headquartered in Vadakara, Kozhikode.
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Established to empower marginalised labourers in northern Kerala who faced systemic exclusion due to caste-based discrimination, ULCCS has grown into Asia’s largest and the world’s second-largest labour cooperative.
Founded with just 14 members and a modest initial capital of 36 paise (6 anaas), the society began by undertaking small-scale road construction projects.
Over the years, it earned a stellar reputation for delivering high-quality work, often under budget, thus gaining the trust of both the public and government authorities.
Today, ULCCS manages assets worth ₹5,319 crore and oversees infrastructure projects valued at ₹7,000 crore.
Of these, developments worth ₹3,000 crore have already been completed. The organisation’s portfolio spans over 300 infrastructure ventures, including roads, bridges, and buildings.
With a robust workforce exceeding 20,000 individuals, including 15,000 skilled labourers and 1,500 engineers, ULCCS continues to set benchmarks in the construction industry.
Beyond construction, it has diversified into areas such as Information Technology, IT infrastructure, tourism, skill development, handicrafts, housing, agriculture, and social welfare initiatives.
The cooperative society’s commitment to efficiency and quality has not only elevated it as a trusted entity in Kerala but has also highlighted its role as a model for sustainable and inclusive development. By prioritising the welfare of its workers and delivering exceptional service, ULCCS exemplifies how collective effort and vision can transform communities and inspire progress.
The Uralungal Society, recognised globally for its operational excellence, was ranked as the second-largest cooperative institution in terms of revenue in the industrial and consumer services sector by the World Co-operative Monitor, based on reports from 2020 to 2022.
It is the only primary cooperative society to secure membership in the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA), a global organisation that typically grants membership to national-level institutions.
In 2013, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) acknowledged the Uralungal Society as a model cooperative society, highlighting its exemplary performance and efficiency.
ULCCS has expanded its operations through various subsidiaries, each serving a specific sector. These include UL Cyber Park, which focuses on IT services, UL Technology Solutions for tech innovations, and Mater Lab, a facility for material testing.
Additionally, UL Insight offers consultancy services within the construction industry, while UL Housing is dedicated to the development of residential apartments.
The organisation also has UL Agriculture, which targets advancements in the agricultural sector, and the UL Center of Excellence, aimed at providing skill development training.
Looking ahead, ULCCS is set to launch a Skill University, for which a proposal has already been submitted to the government. This institution is designed to offer specialised education in key industries such as agriculture, construction, and the arts.
The university’s primary objective is to equip students with practical knowledge and skills, ensuring they are well-prepared for careers in these sectors. Pending government approval, the project will progress to the next phase of development.
According to Paleri Remeshan, the success of ULCCS lies in teamwork. He emphasised that society work is not a one-man show, it’s a collective effort, with directors being seasoned workers who have gained expertise over decades.
“Generations of workers have found employment here, and the society has evolved into an institution offering jobs to the new, educated generation according to their qualifications. This creates immense confidence among the workers,” he said.
In the event of an accident, the society stands by the workers, offering substantial support such as ₹40 lakh in compensation to the family if a worker dies.
Additionally, benefits like family insurance, PF, ESI, gratuity, bonus, assistance for house construction, education, and marriage support are provided.
This comprehensive care ensures that workers are supported and protected at every stage of their life, fostering a strong sense of loyalty.
(Edited by Rosamma Thomas).
