The Hindu Business Line : `CCTL stir may hit future investments'

BREAKING the silence for the first time after the on-going strike at Chennai Container Terminal (CCT) started more than a week ago, the Government on Monday said that the labour unrest at the privatised terminal was not a " good sign" either for future investments or for trade.

"What is important is that what is happening should not obstruct further flow of investments into the ports sector and should not spoil the trade. Because, if commitments for exports are affected, what ever is the controversy, the loss is going to be much greater. So, the best thing for both the sides is to withdraw to some extent and restore the original normalcy and sort out the issue which ever way they like," said the Shipping secretary, Mr D T Joseph.

"Workers in CCTL should get on with the work, while those who were brought in from outside in order to fill up the gap should be sent back and then we can start afresh. Now, if somebody has actually breached discipline, then management is free to take action," Mr Joseph said.

According to the Shipping Secretary, all the three — labour, management and private investor — have to work in such a manner that a common minimum programme has to come through the ports.

"This means trade has to keep moving. Any action by any party which results in the suffering of the trade or movement of the containers being affected, you don't have my sympathies. The Government definitely will frown on that situation. That's not correct. You are putting everybody at a loss and internationally you are spoiling my reputation," he asserted.

Without going into the merits of the case, he said both the parties were spoiling the atmosphere. "That much is clear. Because for the last three years, our experience with privatisation is that productivity has increased, so everybody has benefited. Labour has benefited, investor benefited, trade also benefited. For the first time, we are facing labour unrest at a privatised terminal. This is not a good sign either for future investment or for trade.

Once discipline is spoiled, private terminals cannot operate. It is not like the Government. If the situation is not brought under control soon, productivity will suffer, trade will suffer and further flow of investments will stop," Mr Joseph warned.

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`CCTL stir may hit future investments'