The Hindu Business Line : Go-slow at New Mangalore port on payment issue

Port workers at the New Mangalore have adopted go-slow attitude in work over the issue of payment of money to them. While the Dock Workers’ Union at the port claims that the port workers are working as per rule, the Association of New Mangalore Port Stevedores has said that these workers are seeking the payment of ‘speed money’ in cash rather than in cheque. The association urged the authorities concerned to bring normalcy in the operations at the port.

Speed money

In a letter to the port users, Mr M. Shekar Pujari, President of the Association of New Mangalore Port Stevedores, said port labourers are being paid ‘speed money’ apart from their wages and official incentives. These labourers are drawing a huge salary and other benefits and an equal amount of unofficial ‘speed money’. These labourers are adopting go-slow attitude since Friday, seeking ‘speed money’ in cash rather than in cheque. It is difficult to pay such amounts in cash, the letter said.

When contacted, Mr Dinesh Achar, General Secretary of Dock Workers’ Union, said: “There is no strike. We are working as per rule.” He said that earlier some labourers were working without taking the scheduled breaks as they were getting more incentives for working that extra time. Now, they are taking those breaks.

Productivity hit

However, he agreed with the fact that this go-slow attitude has brought down the output. The productivity might have come down by 100-150 tonnes per shift. The work-to-rule has not affected the operation, he said.

When asked about the issue of payment of money in cash, he said payments are delayed, if it is paid in cheques. Some agents delay in issuing cheques, whereas some others issue cheques either without seal or signature. This is creating inconvenience to the port labourers, he said.

He said that the agents can prepare vouchers and pay the money to workers in cash.

Mr Pujari told Business Line that members of stevedores association, along with senior officials of the port, met the union leaders and requested them to defer the issue till June 1.

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