Porters' strike hits India-Pak trade at Wagah

Attari (Punjab), Jul 15: India's trade with Pakistan through the Wagah land border remained suspended for the second day on Monday after porters struck work, over a demand for better wages.

Porters on the Indian side carry goods till the Pakistani gate from where porters from the other side take over. Long queues of goods-laden trucks were seen at Attari, a border point, as the goods could not be offloaded due to the strike. "We want that the wages should be at least 4000 rupees, then only we will able to give food to our children. Our children are dying of hunger. We cannot see our children this way," said Jagir Singh, a porter.

At least 1400 porters are on strike since Sunday. Traders are worried over the financial fallout of the strike.

"A minimum export of rupees two to three crore is done everyday. It will definitely affect our trade with Pakistan. They might start importing from other countries. China wants Pakistan to import from them. Since our country is near, that's why they buy from us, " said Om Parkash Latti, the President of the Indo-Pakistan Business Chamber.

ANI