The Hindu Business Line : `Kochi port union has played key role in internal discipline' — Mr P. M. Mohammed Haneef, Working President, CPSA

The exploitation of labour at all levels is high in the port sector. The role of a trade union is vital in the changed privatised environment. The new generation workers are ready to co-operate with the changed work culture provided they are look after well.

The Cochin Port Staff Association, the oldest trade union in the port representing more than 60 per cent of the workers, is celebrating its diamond jubilee year in May.

Mr P. M. Mohammed Haneef, Working President of the CPSA and also the General Secretary of the All India Port and Dock Workers Federation, spoke to Business Line on the activities of the union.

He is also the representative of the London based International Transport Workers Federation, global secretariat of transport workers.

How has the port labour evolved in the past 60 years?

Indian port labour has undergone major structural changes by shifting its attitude from rigidity to adaptability. The port labour has evolved as a world-class multi-skilled entity over the past 60 years due to several reasons. The transition in the working standards can be divided into three phases.

The first is up to the enactment of Major Port Trust Act 1963, the second up to 1990 when the Union Government opened up the economy for private participation, and the third since 1991, from the era of concessions, corporatisation, BOT projects and the taking over of existing terminals by multinationals.

Indian port labour has faced various challenges even after the technological advancement in containerisation of cargo.

A strong challenge still persists before the labour on account of drastic reduction of employment, denial of direct recruitment, and so on.

However, the objective in the present era is to achieve decent working conditions, more incentives, and more productivity and trade union rights.

What has been CPSA's role in the overall development of Kochi Port?

The development of any institution is directly related to its economic stability and internal discipline.

CPSA has played a key role in improving these factors at Kochi.

Since the 1990s, Kochi had a reputation for spontaneous strikes and trade union militancy resulting in the cargo diversion to neighbouring ports.

The revenue earned from the traffic was not commensurate with the establishment expenses of the Port.

Consequent this, CPSA initiated steps to end flash strikes and also did image building exercises for the port to attract more traffic.

When the Kochi Refineries Ltd decided to set up a single buoy mooring facility outside the port waters, CPSA raised strong objections jointly with other unions so as to retain the facility within the port. The unions succeeded in it.

I believe that our involvement in making a reality the long cherished dream of the Port to set up an International Container Terminal is unique. CPSA spearheaded the task of joining with other trade unions so as to evolve a positive approach in favour of the project.

What is the relevance of a union in view of the fact that DPI has taken over the terminal operations in Kochi?

Since the work culture of the terminal is ought to be changed for extra productivity, I do presume that there will be problems to be addressed by the Union.

Bearing this in mind, the Union has consciously incorporated provision to safeguard collective bargaining rights while formulating clauses of settlement for the transfer of RGCT to IGTPL.

The various clauses of the settlement provides for deputation of workers under the new management, provide trade union rights, and ensure job security.

Moreover, the principal employer of the workers at RGCT is still the Kochi Port and the port authorities also have the responsibility to protect the workers rights.

I expect that the managers of IGTPL do everything to ensure workers confidence so as to attain declared target of 4 lakh TEUs.

What role the union will be playing in the changed privatised areas of port operations?

At present, the exploitation of labour at all levels is high in the port sector. The role of a trade union is very vital in the changed privatised environment.

The new generation workers are ready to co-operate with the changed work culture provided they are look after well.

However, most of the private managements were reluctant to share economic gains and adopting a policy of hire and fire. They even demand more productivity and efficiency from workers and refuses fair wages and other entitlements to the labour.

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