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Kochi, Dec 17 A writ petition seeking to declare that the strikes are illegal in the Cochin Port Trust has been admitted by the Kerala High Court on Monday.

The court also issued notices to the trade unions on the petition filed by the Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Cochin Steamer Agents Association, Cochin Customs House Agents Association and Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The petitioners representing the entire maritime community in the port pointed out that the illegal strikes which have been called for by the various trade unions have caused irretrievable financial loss as well as the loss of future business to the members of the trade. They pointed out that the foreign buyers would shy away from the investment due to flash strikes and the resultant instability that occurs in the port.

Mr Joy Thattil, who appeared for the petitioners, submitted before the court, that the passenger vessels as well as the cargo vessels are now being deviated from the port which is exploited by the neighbouring ports due to these illegal strikes called by the trade unions. It is pointed out that 1,595 hours of strikes were already called by the various trade unions in the port during the period from April 2005 to November 2007 and this has resulted in heavy financial loss not only to the port but also to the entire maritime community in Kochi.

Foreign investors including DP World, who had invested crores of rupees for the construction activities of the dream project of International Container Transhipment Terminal at Vallarpadam might withdraw from their obligations due to these illegal strikes, the petitioners said.

More Stories on : Trade & Labour Unions | Courts/Legal Issues | Shipping

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