Abhijith N Kolpe

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Feb 5: Workers at the New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) have been on an indefinite strike since January 29 demanding implementation of labour laws by shipping companies engaged in cargo movement at the port.

The indefinite strike which entered 8th day on February 5 at NMPT, the only major port in Karnataka, has brought the functioning of the port entirely to a halt. Port workers taking active part in the strike are led by the All India Port Workers Federation (AIPWF), which is affiliated to the All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU).

AICCTU national vice-president Shankar said, "Despite entering the 8th day of the indefinite strike, neither the management of the shipping company nor NMPT has responded to our demands. Delta Logistic Company has temporarily recruited 20-30 people from Bellary to kill the protest and show that NMPT is not affected. When there is legal protest in process, recruiting temporary workers is illegal and is an unfair labour practice which is prohibited according to the Industrial Dispute Act 1947,"

“Letters have been dispatched stating that workers are absent which is illegal. There is a legal strike going on and workers are being harassed and threatened by all means. Delta and Ganesh shipping companies are visiting the workers’ residence and threatening them to join work. Our workers are determined and they have been asked to sign an agreement at the Labour Department in the presence of deputy labour commissioner under section 12(3) so that workers will be safe. The management of both the companies have promised many things, but never fulfilled them," he added.

“A conciliation meeting has been called by deputy chief labour commissioner (Central) Subramaniam on February 6. He is the Karnataka in-charge and the labour authority deputed by the central government to handle the issue of strike here. If the company management attends the meeting tomorrow, before the labour authority meeting, we are willing to cooperate fully to solve the issue. If our demands are not met, we will have to continue the strike. Now, the ball is in the court of the shipping company,” he said.

Impact of indefinite strike

According to Shankar, the impact of the strike will reach as far as Lakshadweep Island and the Middle East as they will have shortage of essential commodities. Besides that, the functioning of local fishnet companies like Baliga Fishnet, Gadri Marine Exports, and Campco chocolate factory will also be affected badly.

Shankar said, “As many as 1000 containers and cargo have been piled up, occupying the empty areas of the port. Even then the management and port trust pretend as if nothing has happened despite being shaken to the core. Perhaps, this is the first ever strike of shipping company workers against their own managements in several decades,"

“The recruitment of temporary workers is a dangerous trend as they are not used to this work. There have been accidents too in recent times. Ganesh Shipping is indulging in the abduction of workers who are on strike. They are threatening them with the help of goons and are forcing the workers to work. Hence, workers are afraid of filing complaints due to fear,” he said.

Stephan Crasta, a resident of Kasargod said, "Due to the port strike, my own shipment, a container is struck in the port from the past one week. Every day, I pay demurrage of Rs 3000 to shipping company for its delayed operations of loading and unloading. Hence, several shipments including electronic items are struck at the port. Why should I pay charges everyday because of the port workers’ strike?”

‘NMPT has to intervene'

Shankar also said, "NMPT claims to be an independent authority, not linked to anyone. When we were demonstrating, NMPT chairman in-charge Suresh Shirvadkar refused to meet the protestors. NMPT secretary Biju Warrior said that NMPT are not paying the workers, but are paid by private employers. These private employers are not willing to talk in the presence of deputy labour commissioner. In such situation, who will enforce the law? NMPT is the principal employer. Whoever enters the port, NMPT should be responsible for their welfare. This is a central government organisation and is supposed to be a model employer. But NMPT has refused to accept our memorandum and respond to it which is fundamental in any administration,"

“NMPT has complained against the workers who are demonstrating on the highway. Protesting is our right, but they are imposing restrictions on us now. After suffering crores of loss every day, the port authority should intervene and act as a mediator between the employer and employees. The port authority is acting as an agent of private shipping companies. Even a false report has been sent to central government that nothing is affected due to strike. We will file a counter reply to the shipping ministry soon,” said Shankar.

Solution for dispute

According to Shankar, the workers are ready for talks, but the management is not coming forward despite of crores of loss. “If not bilateral talks, they could hold talks with the labour department and the deputy labour commissioner. The shipping companies here along with NMPT have affected the local and port economy drastically by refusing to talk to the workers. To make matter worse, there is an atmosphere of fear as workers are being abducted, threatened and harassed. If anything happens to the workers, then the shipping agents will be held directly responsible for it,” he said.

Demands of workers

“Any person who enters NMPT and engaged in any activity related to NMPT is supposed to be paid central government wages, service conditions, associates benefits including ESI and PF. NMPT port workers demands are clear. They want streamlining of wages and service conditions and strict implementation of labour laws. The management of shipping companies is not willing to implement any labour laws, nor ready to take care of safety, security and well-being of their own workers. They are not playing minimum wages as directed by the central government. Workers are left with no option, but to work for 12 hours. They are neither paid overtime wages nor are given any holidays. Wages are deducted from their meager salary for a day's leave in case taken for any exigencies or family emergencies," Shankar informed.

"NMPT has no concern for workers who enter the port. They do not provide any facilities likes ESI, PF, minimum wages and overtime wages. If something goes wrong, the worker is admitted to hospital and left in the lurch. Hence, we demand implementation of labour laws. NMPT has to act as watchdog in enforcing labour laws, negotiate three years agreement which can regulate wages and service conditions for all shipping companies and other workers who are involved in operations and activities connected with and related to the port," he said.

Delegation meets Rai

Port workers met district in-charge minister Ramanath Rai seeking his help to resolve the issue. Rai has ordered deputy commissioner Sasikanth Senthil to summon a meeting with the management of the shipping company.