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V. Sajeev Kumar

Kochi, Aug 29 The representatives of five major federations have urged the Chairman of the Indian Ports Association (IPA) to finalise the long pending wage revision of port and dock workers effective before the ensuing Deepavali and pooja festivals.

Even though 20 months have elapsed sincethe formation of the Bipartite Wage Negotiating Committee to consider the revision of wages and other conditions of port and dock workers, there is still no progress in the negotiations, the federations alleged.

Mr T. Narendra Rao, General Secretary of the Water Transport Workers Federation of India, pointed out that the Prime Minister had proclaimed additional benefits to Central Government employees during his Independence Day speech, more than what is recommended by the 6th Central Pay Commission; it is easy for the IPA Chairman, Mr A.K. Chanda, to arrive at a negotiated wage settlement that is beneficial to port and dock workers.

The federations urged the IPA Chairman to finalise the issue of ‘Categorisation and classification of port and dock workers’ before the new wage revision settlement.

They also said that contract worker and employees should be brought under the coverage clause of the settlement.

Mr S.R. Kulkarni, President of the All-India Port and Dock Workers Federation, made it clear that unless a negotiated settlement on fair terms is concluded between the management and recognised federations, the latter will be left with no option but to proceed with organising a nation-wide agitation.

Mr P.M. Mohammed Haneef, General Secretary of the Federation, said that unless all the important aspects, such as periodicity of the settlement for five years and resultant fitment benefits on percentage basis are settled, it is futile to continue the negotiations.

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