Port and Dock Workers may go on Indefinite strike

Port workers have threatened to go on an indefinite strike to secure their list of demands.

Five federations of port and dock workers and their affiliated unions will issue notice of indefinite strike on Port Managements on August 16, according to Mr. S.R. Kulkarni, President of All-India Port & Dock Workers’ Federation.

Workers will go on strike at all major ports of the country from September 1, said a press release. The workers are demanding restoration of age of retirement as 60 years, merger of 50 per cent D.A. with pay, interim relief of Rs 1,000 per month to workers including pensioners filling up vacancies and non-corporatisation of major ports among other demands.

While the retirement age of central government employees is increased to 62, that of port and dock workers was rolled back to 58 by Ministry of Shipping in 2001, stated the release.