Mangalore: NMPT Dock Workers Go on Strike: Import-Export Activities Hit
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SB)

Mangalore, Aug 1: The import and export activities from New Mangalore Port have seen a halt with dock workers dealing in goods have gone on a strike from Saturday August 1. The workers have resorted to strike since Saturday morning after the port implemented the orders by the centre with regard to labour gang.

However, NMP Trust traffic manager has said that the strike carried out is unlawful and appropriate action in this regard will be taken. Further, labour unions had been informed about implementing the orders by the centre and they had been requested to co-operate on the matter, he stated in a press release.

It has been estimated that the strike might result in a loss of about Rs 1 crore in a day to the port. Port has in all 620 dock workers. They work in different shifts according to the need. On Saturday three gangs with 18 members were on shift, whereas up to Friday in three gangs, 54 members would have been on work. In the port at present nine ships are anchored, 19 ships are waiting to be anchored and 12 ships are on the way to the port, informed sources from the port.

The dock workers had earlier threatened to go on strike if the major port trusts were to implement the decision of National Industrial Tribunal, Kolkata, on the new manning scale and deployment of workers in various departments. It was felt that if the tribunal decision is implemented, about 40 per cent of port workers will become redundant. Though chief labour commissioner was requested to direct the port trusts to stop implementation of the order, the Indian Ports Association representatives did not agree. 

NMPT Dock Labourers’ Association general secretary (INTUC) Sadashiv Shetty said that the order has not been implemented in any of the 10 major ports of the country. Though we requested the management to implement the order at the NMP only after its implementation, the management did not agree with our condition. We have utmost respect for tribunal’s decision, he said. He warned that the workers strike will continue till the management finds a solution to this problem.