Six federations of port and dock workers of the major ports in the country have decided to go on indefinite strike from April 19, if the Union Government does not respond positively to their demands.
The representatives of the six federations - affiliated to the Hind Mazdoor Sabha, the CITU, the INTUC, the AITUC and the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh - met in New Delhi on Wednesday and took the decision, according to a press release issued here on Thursday.
The unions are objecting to many of the provisions of the Major Ports Authority Bill, 2016, introduced in Parliament and they want certain changes incorporated in the bill. In its present form, they feel, the bill is detrimental to the national interests as well as the welfare of the port and dock workers. They want protection of the present service conditions in the ports as well as retirement benefits.
The representatives of the federations condemned "the attitude of the NDA Government bent on trampling upon the rights of the workers." Further, corporatisation of the major ports would lead to grabbing of huge chunks of valuable lands in the major ports by the private companies.
The six federations have decided to launch a campaign against the bill in the ports and also to make the general public aware of its harmful effects.
sarma.rs@thehindu.co.in
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