Port workers agree for temporary truce on fertiliser handling

Kakinada, Nov 17 (UNI) The anchorage port workers, who were protesting against the decision of port authorities to divide the work on handling the imported fertiliser at the Deep water port among the workers of the other unions, today agreed to abide by the party leaders' decision taken at the meeting to bring about a temporary settlement.

The workers were on a relay fast for the last 11 days in front of the collectorate here.

''Since the issue of diversion of cargo from the anchorage to the Deep water port is pending in the court, we have accepted a temporary truce and entrusted to the all party committee, the task of holding discussions with the district administration and local Congress MLA Mutha Gopalakrishna, who is the honorary president for all the port workers unions- both Anchorage and Deep water ports, on sharing the work on handling the fertiliser. Basing on the outcome, we will decide our future course of action,'' HMS-led anchorage port steel barges Workers Union President Vanamadi Virababu told a press conference here.

The all party committee is expected to meet the Collector and the local MLA tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the Workers Union leaders have decided to depute a delegation to Fisheries Minister M V Ramanarao to impress upon him the need for issuing a clear cut direction to the port authorities, District Collector and Superintendent of police, clarifying the exclusive right given to the anchorage port workers on handling the imported fertilisers so as to end the dispute permanently.

Mr Virababu said the HMS Union alone had the exclusive right on handling the imported fertilisers as it was one of the listed traditional cargoes of the anchorage port.

UNI XC VA SLD KN2031