Port workers across India are commencing an indefinite strike on 28 August, under the aegis of the All India Port and Dock Workers’ Federation. The port workers are disappointed by the lack of any concrete action to resolve their issues, including revision of wages, allowances and pension benefits.
The protestors are unhappy with the way the Ministry of Shipping has dealt with wage settlements and productivity-linked rewards. The workers are seeking more trade union rights and timely payment of bonuses along with a resolution of all wage-related issues.
The last settlement with the port workers, which happened in 2021, has expired. The decision to go on an indefinite strike was taken post a meeting of the National Coordination Committee, at Tuticorin. A federation representing the major port workers had submitted a charter of demands in September, 2021. Almost three years have passed without any meaningful result. The Bipartite Wage Negotiation Committee (BWNC) has failed to act.
No decisions have been reached despite negotiations, regarding the pay scales, neutralisation of dearness allowance, fitment benefits, payment of arrears, or protection of existing benefits. Many of the previous settlements have not been implemented either. The protesting port workers maintain that the Ministry has been neglecting matters related to the ports and labour for the past five years. The industrial relations, therefore, are quite poor. Ideally, discussions need to be held every few months, as was normal in the past.
