Port and Dock workers to go on nationwide strike from July 16

Mangalore, July 2 (UNI) The Port and Dock Workers Federation has called for a nationwide indefinite strike from July 16 in support of their wage demands as per the Bipartite Wage Settlement Committee recommendations.

The five recognised federations of port and dock workers who recently met at Mumbai under the umbrella of All India Port and Dock Workers Federation (AIPDWF) had decided to serve the strike notice to all port authorities in the country in support of their demands.

Mr Ramachandra Gowda, Trustee of New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) told reporters here today that an understanding was reached at Bipartite Wage Settlement Committee meeting, subject to the formal approval by the Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and National Highways and the workers.

He said that management of Indian Port Association (IPA) had agreed to extend the benefits of the amendments made by the central government in the Bonus Act mainly about liberalising the eligibility limit and definition of pay.

However even after six month, the ministry had failed to take decision in this regard, he said.

Though there was shortage of man power at the ports, the dock workers had ensured increase in productivity bringing record earnings to the ports.

However, Port authorities had failed to revise the payment of the workers. The ministry and the IPA had also kept pending the proposal submitted on unanimous decision taken by BWNC on March 29 to pay 13.5 per cent of the Basic Pay as interim relief to the port and dock workers, he added.

UNI MA RS GM1717