The Hindu Business Line : Kochi steamer watchmen upset over settlement delay

STEAMER watchmen, who lost their jobs following the implementation of ISPS code (international code for security of ships and port facilities) in Kochi port, are worried over the delay in finding an amicable settlement on the issue of reinstating them into service.

Even though these watchmen were given an assurance that a solution would be found in the matter within a month's time, the issue is getting delayed due to reasons unknown. The talks held on Wednesday in this regard between the management of the Cochin Steamer Agents' Association, Forum of Trade Unions including Cochin Port Labour Union remained inconclusive, sources in the port said.

In the meeting, the steamer agents had reiterated that they were unable to employ the steamer watchmen consequent to the direction given by the port. The watchmen could be appointed only if the port would allow the management to appoint them on board the ships while the ships were anchored in the berth.

However, the management had agreed to pay an advance of Rs 3,000 for each watchman recoverable from settlement of the dispute. Further discussions would be held shortly in the presence of port officials with a view to finding a way to get the steamer watchmen back into employment on board the ships, sources said.

The steamer watchmen, employed by the Steamer Agents Association for onboard ship duty, had started agitation following the discontinuation of service from September 1 last year as part of implementing the ISPS code in the port area.

The code is adopted by IMO at the instance of the US Government in the aftermath of September 11 terrorist attacks. The purpose of the code is to provide a standardised consistent framework for evaluating risk, enabling governments to offset changes in threat with changes in vulnerability for ships and port facilities.

The association, as part of implementing ISPS code, had offered a VRS to all the 112 workers in which only 72 accepted the offer. In order to secure 40 watchmen their right of being employed, the CPLU had started agitation.

It was also pointed out that the implementation of ISPS code was faulty in Kochi. The same code did not stand in the way of steamer watchmen of Kolkata port to continue in their employment. Both the ports follow similar pattern in regard to employment of steamer watchmen, sources added.

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