CITU-affiliated unions launched a campaign by observing demands’ day to safeguard the interest of the major ports.
During the demands’ day programme, which will continue till March 6 at Visakhapatnam and other 10 other major ports, the unions are highlighting the threat being posed to Kochi, Chennai, Kolkata, Marmagao and Visakhapatnam ports due to privatisation policy.
“General cargo berth here has been given for development to Vedanta and Ore Handling Complex to Essar mortgaging the interest of the workers,” said Water Transport Workers’ Federation of India general secretary T. Narendra Rao. He told reporters that they were not fighting for wage increase or bonus. “Our campaign is to highlight the threats being posed to the survival of major ports,” he said. Mr. Rao said the Kochi port was facing financial problems. Throughput at the International Container Transhipment Terminal at Vallarpadam had not picked up as envisaged in the licence agreement.
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United Port and Dock Employees’ Union general secretary V.S. Padmanaba Raju and general secretary S. Parsuram were present.