Nationwide Indefinite Strike Announced by Port Workers in India Starting August 28

15 Aug Nationwide Indefinite Strike Announced by Port Workers in India Starting August 28

The National Coordination Committee in India has announced an indefinite nationwide strike beginning on August 28, demanding an immediate resolution to pay revisions and allowances, including pension benefits retroactive to January 2022. The previous settlement expired in December 2021.

This decision was reached following a two-day meeting at V.O.C. Port in Thoothukudi. The All India Port and Dock Workers’ Federation, led by President P.M. Mohammed Haneef and General Secretary G.M. Krishnamoorthy, stated that despite the Ministry of Shipping forming a Bipartite Wage Negotiation Committee (BWNC) in March 2021, no agreement has been reached after 31 months and seven meetings.

The unresolved issues include the revision of pay scales, fitment benefits, protection of existing benefits, implementation of previous settlements, neutralization of dearness allowance (DA), and payment of arrears. The Federation criticized the Ministry for its “illogical and illegal” guidelines, which they claim have created unprecedented roadblocks.

Labor unrest is reportedly growing in major ports, particularly regarding the productivity-linked reward (PLR) or bonus, which is usually distributed during the festival season starting in September. A new memorandum of understanding (MoU) for a five-year period from 2020-21 was signed, but due to the Ministry’s lack of approval, the settlement has not been finalized, and the PLR has not been disbursed to employees.

Employees at major ports were given an advance towards the PLR for the years 2020-21 and 2022-23. However, for those who retired during this period, the advance amount was withheld from their retirement benefits due to the unresolved settlement.