Go-slow agitation affects movement of cargo

Mangalore, May 7 (UNI) The 'go-slow' agitation launched by the Cargo Handling Workers of the New Mangalore Port near here since May 2, has badly affected the handling of cargo.

An NMPL release here today said that due to the go-slow tactics, two vessels with Urea for agriculturists of this region were badly affected. The import of containers which brought raw materials for the local cashew exporters was also made to suffer.

The discharge of the containers per shift per gang was only 32 as against last month's performance of 62. As a result, container vessels sailed out without taking 250 export containers from Mangalore on May 6, it said On May 2, the cargo handling workers of the port suddenly stopped the work. The Assistant Labour Commissioner intervened and work was continued with the understanding that normalcy would be restored. However, workers adopted 'go slow' tactics from second shift onwards.

The NMPT Secretary said that it was understood that the workers intention was to make stevedores pay money by cash. Earlier, they were paid by cheques where income tax was to be recovered.

The Cargo Handling Workers earn huge amount of wages and incentives ranging from Rs 36,000 to Rs 55,000 per month apart from all benefits as extended to regular employees. In addition, they were demanding extra cash payments from stevedores, the release added.

He said that in spite of repeated requests from the Chairman and the Management to the workers, leaders and their family members, there was no positive response.

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