KOCHI: The All India Port and Dock Workers’ Federation has warned the Union Ministry for Shipping that unless a decision is taken by June 25 on its demands, including payment of interim relief, the federation would be forced to call for a nation-wide indefinite strike.
In a letter sent to Union Minister for Shipping T.R. Baalu, federation president S.R. Kulkarni appealed for speedy payment of interim relief to the port workers. The Indian Ports’ Association had agreed in March to pay interim relief at the rate of 13.5 per cent with effect from January 2007. However, Mr. Kulkarni said, no government order had been issued to this effect so far. He expressed surprise at the “unjustified delay” and alleged red tape and bureaucratic technicalities overshadowing the payment.
The federation leader justified the demand for the payment of interim relief reiterating that the major ports in the country had achieved high productivity and profit last year.
The port and dock workers demanded merger of 50 per cent DA with basic pay with effect from January 2005.
A discussion on the R.K. Jain Committee report was another demand raised by the federation.
The Committee report had suggested “realistic assessment of vacancies,” said the letter.