BL reported that functioning of all major ports is likely to be affected from July 16th 2008 with the minister for Shipping, Road Transport & Highways, Mr TR Baalu declining to accept demands of port workers in a meeting in New Delhi recently.

According to the report, the demands included grant of 13.5% interim relief with effect from January 1st 2007 amendment to settlement on liberalizing the definition of pay and eligibility limit for productivity linked reward effective from fiscal 2007 as decided by the Cabinet and merger of 50% dearness allowance with basic pay with effect from January 1st 2005.

Since the talks have failed, the federations are left with no option but to direct the port and dock workers at all the major ports to go on strike from July 16th 2008, the five federations stated in a release.

The federations said that “Viewed with grave concern a totally negative and retrograde approach adopted by the ministry of Shipping virtually rejecting the agreements arrived at between the port management and the federations particularly when ports are autonomous bodies and Central Government does not give any subsidy or financial assistance to the working of the major ports.”

The federations are All India Port & Dock Workers Federation, Water Transport Federation of India Port, Dock & Waterfront Workers of India and Indian National Port & Dock Workers Federation.