BL reported that National Port Trust Employees’ Union has sought immediate steps for the merger of the Dock Labor Board with the Visakhapatnam port trust, as the issue has been pending for years, even though the union government has taken a decision to do so.

Mr PS Naidu general secretary of National Port Trust Employees’ Union said that "Some stevedores and labor unions with vested interests were blocking the move, but the government should take quick steps to implement it. The issue of wage revision, pending since January 2007, should also be taken up for the labor of all the 12 major ports in India."

The union leaders said that interim relief of 13.5% had been recommended in the last wage revision committee meeting in Mumbai but even that had not been implemented. They also sought filling up of all vacant posts in the port and the dock labor board.