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V. Sajeev Kumar

Kochi , Feb. 7

THE Kochi port has brought to the notice of the Indian Registry of Shipping (IRS) the ongoing issue of steamer watchmen, who lost their jobs following the implementation of ISPS code (international code for security of ships and port facilities) in the port.

The port authorities conveyed to IRS to reconsider its earlier direction of discontinuation of the service of steamer watchmen and they may be permitted to continue as watchmen on board the ships while the ships were anchored in the berth.

A decision to this effect comes in the wake of the ongoing agitation resorted to by around 40 watchmen from September last year demanding reinstatement to service, senior port officials said.

It may be recalled that the talks held in this regard last week between the Cochin Steamer Agents Association and Forum of Trade Unions remained inconclusive. However, the management of the Steamer Agents had agreed to pay an advance of Rs 3,000 for each watchman recoverable from settlement of the dispute.

Mr K.V.A Iyer, Vice-President of the Cochin Port Labour Union, said that the port authorities had made one more attempt on the issue for a fresh review so that steamer watchmen might continue in employment like the existing conditions in Kolkata port.

The port had earlier made a representation to IRS in August 2004 to review its recommendation of discontinuing the service of steamer watchmen. It was then decided to reduce the number of watchmen by offering a voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) in which 20 people in the highest age group had opted for the scheme. Further, 52 watchmen had also opted for VRS leaving a balance of 40, who desired to continue in employment, Mr Iyer said.

Despite reduction of number of persons, he said IRS stuck by their original recommendation of discontinuing the service of watchmen. As part of Port Facility Security Assessment for Kochi, IRS observed that employment of security personnel by Steamer Agents Association for onboard deployment is to be discontinued as it is serving no purpose and antecedents of these personnel are also suspect / not established, Mr Iyer added.

ISPS code is adopted by IMO at the instance of US Government in the aftermath of September 11 terrorist attacks in the US. 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.

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