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V. Sajeev Kumar

Kochi, Sept 24 The high-powered standing committee on Kochi Port has called for immediate intervention by the State Labour Minister to end the ongoing trailer workers’ strike at the port, as continuing flash strikes have brought port operations to a standstill.

The committee felt that the port was being held to ransom by some vested interests at a time when other ports around the country were progressing steadily and gearing to meet global competition.

The ongoing strike is a repeat of one that occurred some time ago and the committee failed to see why there should be a complete halt of work following an incident involving CISF and workers.

In a letter to the Government, the committee said port users were under tremendous pressure to meet export commitments as this is the half-year closing time.

The strike coupled with the existing congestion at the port and the proposed bank strike is more than the exporter can bear.

The committee pointed out that such strikes would impose a huge monetary burden on all port users by way of demurrage/detention and other charges.

The current strike and the resulting halt on work would also affect the productivity and cost-competitiveness of the port vis-a-vis the export market.

At a time when the port is doing everything possible to improve productivity and competitiveness, such avoidable circumstances will have a negative impact on the management’s efforts.

Meanwhile, the strike entered the second day on Wednesday, totally hampering the movement of trailers to and from the port. The talks convened by the Regional Labour Commissioner in a bid to end the strike also failed.

Senior officials at DP World said that at present there was no halt on work inside the terminal as there were two vessels in the gantry. However, the company is evaluating the situation and will take necessary steps depending on the circumstances. If the strike continues, the terminal has no option but to curtail vessel operations to avert further congestion, the officials said.

So far, the strike has not worsened the yard congestion despite the fact that around 5,500 teus are held up at the terminal.

However, even if the strike is called off, there will be a further delay in moving the cargo and it would take another week for normalcy to return to the terminal, the officials added.

More Stories on : Trade & Labour Unions | Shipping/Ports

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