The Kochi Convention of All India Port and Dock Workers’ Federation has expressed serious concern over the “arbitrary codification” of different enactments safeguarding the interests of the workers for several decades.
A statement issued by the federation said that the Major Port Authorities Bill and the Code on Wage Bill were placed before Parliament sidelining the trade unions and ignoring their views and opinions. The Union Ministry had advised the Indian Ports’ Association to discuss and obtain the views of the Federations on Major Port Authorities Bills, which is meant to replace the Major Port Trust, 1963.
Though discussions were held and consensus reached on all the grievances raised by the federations they had not been included in the Bill placed before Parliament. Further, on a request, the federations were invited by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture for airing the grievances on the proposed Bill. The committee had also taken a positive view of the suggestions of the Labour Federations and made its recommendations accordingly.
'Naked exploitation'
However, “we are unaware of the fate of the recommendations,” the federation said. At the same time, the Code on Wage Bill had also been notified. It also said that with now appointments being made to vacant posts, several jobs were being outsourced.
The workers, as a result, are exposed to “naked exploitation,” the federation added.
