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Cargo handling workers in NMPT on strike

Last Updated 01 August 2009, 18:01 IST

  The Tribunal held that deployment of workers for any task will not be gang-based but will be need-based with reference to the nature of job or cargo.

A press release from NMPT stated that the major ports such as Visakhapatnam, Paradip, Kochi and  Mormugao have already started implementing the NIT Award. 

New Mangalore Port Trust decided to adopt rationalization of manning scales in cargo handling. Accordingly, the NMPT decided to implement the Award from the first shift (0600 hrs to 1400 hrs.) on Saturday.

Before implementation of the Award, the New Mangalore Port management had discussed with  trade unions representing the labour, including the registered cargo handling workers on various occasions and impressed upon them to fall in line with other major ports  to honour the NIT Award and abide by the direction of the government.

The implementation of award in NMPT started Saturday and though the Registered  Cargo  Handling Workers handling general/dry bulk cargo have given their attendance at 6 am on Saturday but  they abstained from doing the duties of cargo handling works and, thereby, struck the work. Such  sudden protest without notice is illegal and against the provisions of the labour laws.

However, the port users,  government and Regional Labour Commissioner were apprised of the situation and measures are being taken to resolve the issue amicably.

The work relating to all other departments of the Port are functioning normally.

In the meantime, it is said that a ship carrying 33,000 metric tonne fertiliser  had called on the New Mangalore Port on Friday. However, owing to the strike, only 1,600 metric tonne is unloaded, informed sources from the port.

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(Published 01 August 2009, 18:01 IST)

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