Retirement age of port and dock workers enhanced to 60 years

New Delhi, Sep 27 (UNI) In a pre-Diwali bonanza to the 66,000-strong port and dock workers, the Centre today decided to increase their retirement age from 58 to 60 years.

The decision, approved by Shipping and Road Transport and Highways Minister T R Baalu, will become effective from September 30.

A ministry note said the decision was taken pursuant to the discussions with the representatives of five Major Federations of Port and Dock Workers on September 12, following which the federations agreed to unilaterally withdraw the two petitions pending before the Chief Labour Commissioner (Central).

The Chief Labour Commissioner confirmed to the Shipping, Road Transport and Highways Ministry that the Federations had agreed to withdraw unilaterally the strike notice and the relevant dispute pending with the CLC during the conciliation proceedings initiated by it.

The Ministry had constituted a committee to look holistically into the matter relating to retirement age of Port and Dock employees.

Recently, Mr Baalu had allowed the release of 17.5 per cent Productivity Linked Reward to each port and dock employee on ad-hoc basis.

UNI