The Hindu Business Line : Cochin Port staff for dispensing with cargo handling pools

The existence and continuance of the pools had created a situation of exorbitant handling cost of cargo and this situation has led to the decline of cargo throughput of Kochi.

Kochi , Jan. 12

THE Cochin Port Staff Association has suggested that the management dispense with the operations of the entire cargo handling pools in the port and formulate an approved scheme to accommodate these pool workers.

The scheme, to be formulated, is to protect the jobs of these workers as they are directly or indirectly involved in cargo handling activities in the port, said Mr P.M. Mohammed Haneef, Working President of the Association.

The scheme could be evolved in line with the method existed in other ports such as Tuticorin, New Mangalore, Paradip, Kandla, and Vishakapatnam.

An initiative in this regard could reduce the handling cost and the workers could be saved from exploitation, he said, adding that it would, in turn, would increase the revenue of the port.

According to Mr Haneef, the existence and continuance of these pools had created a situation of exorbitant handling cost of cargo moved through the port and this situation has led to the decline of cargo throughput of Kochi.

He also said that a system of engaging workers by private agencies under the name of pools is in vogue in Kochi.

Currently there are several pools such as USA Pool, Reach Stackers Pool, Container Boys Pool, Rank Casual Pool, Foremans' Pool, etc.

The wages and other benefits of these pool workers are met from the cess levy collected from exporters and importers.

Several agencies are involved in the management of these pools and they are levying exorbitant rates from the port users, which ultimately increase the cargo handling cost in the port, he said.

The continuation of these pools is not only detrimental to the port but also leads to exploitation of labour by vested interests.

They are not even paid wages in accordance with the works assigned to them or the wages and other benefits enjoyed by their counterparts in the port, he added.