No decision yet on raising retirement age of port employees

New Delhi, Aug 23 (UNI) The government today said it had not taken any decision on the issue of raising the retirement age from 58 to 60 years of the employees of major ports.

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Shipping, Road Transport and Highways Minister T R Baalu said the Chief Labour Commissioner- initiated conciliation proceedings on the issue of raising the retirement age of the employees of major ports and had received representations from certain Labour Federations.

''The conciliation proceedings have not been closed,'' Mr Baalu said.

Mr Baalu said his ministry had also constituted a committee to look holistically into the matter relating to retirement age of Port and Dock employees.

''The Committee has submitted its report but no decision has been taken,'' he informed the House.

Replying to another query, the minister said ports did not permit fishing vessels to operate as supply vessels for oil companies.

''Fishing vessels are registered under Section 435 of the Merchant Shipping Act. These vessels are used solely for fishing and their use for any other purpose is not contemplated under the said Act,'' he said.

He also informed that as per available information, major ports did not permit fishing vessels to operate as supply vessels for oil companies.

UNI