Port workers of India strike

All major ports across India will be brought to a three-hour standstill today, ITF London reports. Some 80,000 port workers are protesting the government's refusal to honour their national agreement and pay a productivity bonus of up to 20 per cent for 2002-2003.

In a move widely seen as an attack on union strength, government officials are insisting that members of the five recognised Port and Dock Workers' Federations now negotiate on a port-by port basis or not at all.

Already under pressure because of government moves to privatise port activities, bring in new pension regulations and unilaterally change their working conditions, the union federations will show their anger by staging massive demonstrations outside the offices of the port authorities.

The unions took the decision after the Ministry of Shipping told them that unless there was an increase in productivity, port workers would no longer be entitled to receive even the agreed minimum productivity bonus of 8.33%. The unions are also taking their claim to the National Industrial Tribunal.

Kees Marges, Secretary of the ITF's Dockers Section, will attend the port workers' demonstration in Mumbai, bringing solidarity greetings from the ITF. He commented: "This attack by the government on the national productivity bonus would be the first step towards replacing the single national agreement for all port workers with a port-by-port system. The port workers of India recognise it for the dangerous 'divide and rule' tactic it is."

For further information

Contact	:	MUA Stevedoring Division
Phone	:	+61 2 9267 9134
Fax	:	+61 2 9261 3481
Email	:	membership@mua.org.au
WWW	:	http://mua.org.au/

 This page: http://mua.org.au/news/stevedoring/india.html
 Last Modified: Tuesday, 15-Nov-2005 19:32:25 EST

 Site proudly designed and engineered by Social Change Online

 © 2001 Maritime Union of Australia (MUA)
 365 Sussex Street, Sydney. 2000
 Tel: (02) 9267 9134 Fax: (0) 92613481