Leaders of six federations plan series of demonstrations in Dec
VASCO
Expressing dissatisfaction with the Indian Ports Association (IPA) over its delay in implementing the wage settlement signed on September 27, the National Coordination Committee of Six Federations of Port and Dock Workers has planned a series of demonstrations in December.
This was decided at a meeting in the State which was attended by representatives of all six Federations, the All India Port & Dock Workers Federation (HMS), All India Port & Dock Workers Federation (Workers) (HMS), Water Transport Workers Federation of India (CITU), Port Dock & Waterfront Workers Federation of India (AITUC), Indian National Port & Dock Workers Federation (INTUC) and Bharatiya Port & Dock Mazdoor Mahasangh (BMS).
During the meeting, the leaders decided that affiliates of the six Federations will submit letters to the respective chairpersons of all major ports on November 28, demanding the immediate implementation of the settlement.
The workers will observe a Protest Day on December 5, by wearing badges and organising mass demonstrations at Port Administrative Buildings. Pensioners and family members will join workers in holding mass demonstrations on December 10, to demand implementation of the settlement and payment of pensionary benefits.
If the settlement is not implemented by December 15, the Federations plan to initiate industrial action, including an indefinite strike, from December 17.
The federations have claimed that the settlement, which addresses wage revisions and pensionary benefits effective from January 1, 2022, remains unimplemented even two months after its signing.
They said the wage settlement was finalised following extensive negotiations by a Bipartite Wage Negotiation Committee (BWNC) constituted on June 2, 2022. The process had been delayed for years, prompting workers to call for an indefinite strike in August 2024. Intervention by the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways led to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on August 27, and a formal settlement was concluded under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, with the Regional Labour Commissioner (C), Mumbai.
Despite these developments, the Federations claimed that the IPA has failed to forward the settlement to the Port Authorities for implementation.
