Port of Hamburg halts train services amid strikes
NewsThe Port of Hamburg has halted train acceptance due to ongoing strikes, causing delays of over 24 hours.
Indian port workers announce nationwide strike
India’s major port workers plan an indefinite strike over unresolved wage, allowance, and pension demands, potentially disrupting nationwide port operations.
India’s major port workers are set to launch an indefinite strike starting August 28, following unresolved demands for pay and allowance revisions, including pensionary benefits. The strike, called by the National Coordination Committee of Port Workers, comes after prolonged negotiations with the Ministry of Shipping failed to yield any results.
The decision was finalised after a two-day meeting held at V.O.C. Port in Thoothukudi, where union leaders from various federations, including the All India Port and Dock Workers’ Federation, the Water Transport Workers’ Federation of India, and the Indian National Port and Dock Workers’ Federation, gathered to discuss their course of action.
No agreement after 31 months
The workers’ demands stem from the expiration of the previous pay settlement on December 31, 2021. Despite forming a Bipartite Wage Negotiation Committee (BWNC) by the Ministry of Shipping in March 2021, no agreement has been reached even after 31 months and seven meetings. Union leaders have criticised the Ministry’s “illogical and illegal guidelines” for stalling the negotiations, marking a significant departure from previous settlement processes.
Key issues on the table include the revision of pay scales, fitment benefits, protection of existing benefits, implementation of previous settlements, neutralisation of dearness allowance (DA), and payment of arrears.
Union leaders have also expressed frustration over the non-payment of the Productivity Linked Reward (PLR), typically disbursed annually during festival seasons. The delay has been attributed to the Ministry’s failure to approve a statutory settlement under the new Major Port Authorities Act of 2021.
Lethargic attitude
The union representatives warned that the Ministry’s “lethargic attitude” is leading to mounting unrest among port workers, with potential disruptions to port operations nationwide.
They also criticised the centralisation of authority under the new Act, arguing that it has stripped major ports of their autonomy and reduced the scope of the new Port Authority Boards to outsourcing activities.
As the strike looms, the industrial relations climate in India’s major ports has reached a critical point. Union leaders emphasized that the situation has deteriorated over the last five years, with no discussions between the Ministry and labour federations. This is a contrast to the past when meetings were held every three months to address issues.
The forthcoming strike highlights the escalating tensions between the port workers and the government, as the workers push for a fair wage revision and the protection of their rights.
The nationwide industrial action is expected to have significant implications for port operations across the country, potentially disrupting the flow of goods and affecting the broader economy.
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