The convention of Tuticorin Port Mariners and General Staff Union (TPMGSU), which is affiliated to All India Port and Dock Workers Federation (AIPDWF), held here on Wednesday, resolved to extend full support to a call by six federations of port and dock workers to protect the legitimate rights and privileges of workers, P.M. Mohammed Haneef, president, AIPDWF said.
During the two-day working committee meeting, which commenced here on Tuesday, organised by the TPMGSU, the convention expressed concern over the prevailing anti-labour and anti-port policies of the Indian Ports Management and the Shipping Ministry over sidelining trade unions and national federations while taking decisions on labour issues.
The decision taken by the government to replace the Indian Major Port Trust Act, 1963 by the Major Port Authorities Bill, 2016 without considering suggestions made by the federations was detrimental to the interest of workers, he told a press conference here.
Even after a lapse of several months, the wage revision committee, constituted by the government this year to revise wage structure of group ‘C’ and ‘D’ employees of major ports, its proceedings had not been completed so far.
Moreover, he said the VOC Port Trust management was urged to take appropriate action for revision of incentive scheme for traffic employees, procurements of mooring boats and new tug for marine operations, allocation of adequate fund towards pension and medical facilities to pensioners.
Thousands of posts were kept vacant in major ports affecting operations and on the other hand, regular nature of jobs had either been outsourced or contracted to the private sector, Mr. Mohammed Haneef said.
He said demonstrations would be organised in all major ports on December 20 demanding the Centre to fulfil the demands of port federations. Expressing concern over the missing seafarers from a ship that capsized off the Philippines a few months ago, he said the AIPDWF would urge the Centre to take concrete steps to ensure safety of seafarers.
