Cargo movement to and from the Kochi port continued to be hit for the seventh day today following the strike by private contract labour in the port from February 1.

The talks convened by the port management on Sunday and Monday in three sessions have failed to find a solution to end the stalemate.

Senior port officials said that the striking workers engaged in various port-related activities were adamant in their stand to retain the existing Rajiv Gandhi Container Terminal with the port on commissioning the Vallarpadam terminal, which is against the licence agreement entered into with DP World.

DP World issue

Repeated efforts made by the port to persuade DP World in this direction have failed and it is not possible for the port to force a decision against the principles of contract law, the officials added.

They pointed out that an in-principle understanding has been reached on the issue of those workers engaged in lashing and unlashing of containers in ships. On being persuaded by the Port Trust, DP World has instructed the new contractor to absorb around 70 workers engaged by private agencies in various on board shipping operations subject to their physical fitness.

These workers would be given retirement with full settlement benefits by their existing employers and would be absorbed by the new employer. Thus, the issue regarding loss of employment has been resolved, the officials said.

Turn system

However, the port management and the trade has opposed the move to reintroduce the turn system of trailers in the port, which was stopped by the management as part of curbing all unethical practices prevailing in the Willingdon Island area in the last few years. According to the turn system, the customers have no freedom to hire trucks through competition and negotiation and they were forced to hire vehicles ‘in turn' at prices dictated by the interested parties.

implementation of ICTT

Although the port trust management made all sincere efforts to resolve the problems of those who would be losing their employment as a direct result of implementation of the ICTT, the unfortunate insistence on the part of the unions concerned demanding continued operation of RGCT and the resumption of the ‘turn system' for trucks, the talks could not progress, the officials said.

Meanwhile, the 7-day old strike has resulted in the diversion of three container ships to the neighbouring port to unload the cargo.

Currently, six container vessels and a ship laden with logs are waiting in the outer channel.

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