The Hindu Business Line : Port, dock workers demand payment of interim relief

The port and dock workers federations, in a joint representation, have sought the immediate intervention of the Union Shipping Minister on the payment of interim relief and settling of other issues without any further delay.

The five major federations, which met in Mumbai last week, have sent a letter to the Minister requesting him to issue orders on the payment of interim relief of 13.5 per cent and remaining bonus; merger of 50 per cent of DA with basic pay with effect from January 1, 2005; sharing and implementing RK Jain committee’s recommendation; implementation of cadre restructuring of port and dock employees; settling of degree/diploma engineers issues etc.

The Federations pointed out that the Indian Ports Association had discussed the issue in the Bipartite Wage Negotiation Committee Meeting in March and had agreed to pay interim relief at the rate of 13.5 per cent. However, the Government had not issued any order in this regard. The workers are in a very awkward position and are facing acute financial crisis due to the present price hike and they could not survive without any additional support in the form of interim relief, the Federations said in the letter.

Considering the peculiar situation created by the Ministry on various issues in the port sector, the workers are restive and their frustration may lead to labour unrest in the major ports, the leaders warned.

The Federations also stated that they have decided to direct their affiliated unions at the respective ports to go into some industrial actions including nationwide strike unless the Minister intervened and take steps to implement the demands on or before June 25.

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