NMPT workers call off their strike

NMPT workers call off their strike

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Nov 28, 2011 : NMPT labourers, who went on a sudden strike on Nov 25, resumed work at 14:30 on Nov 28 Monday.

 

It may be recalled that the workers went on a sudden strike without giving proper notice, and in spite of meetings convened by the traffic manager of NMPT on Nov 26, 27, and 28, continued the strike.

The workers at the port abruptly stopped working on Nov 25 on all general cargo vessels berthed at NMPT. Operations on the fertilizer vessel, which was actually using harbour mobile crane, were also stopped. The discharge of coal for UPCL from M.V. Golden Eminence was still under progress under police protection and cargo was handled as usual at berth numbers one to seven and berth fourteen. But, work came to a stand still at all other general cargo vessels at NMPT.

 

Since there are a number of vessels bearing maize, coal, fertilizers, timbers, and so on, M. Shekhar Pujari, the president of the Association of NMP Stevedores, urged port management, port workers, labour unions, and all concerned to resume work immediately.

He stated that the NMPT cargo traffic had reduced to 40 percent because of high cost of labour charges and ghost money payments. The port users lost money as well as time and several vessels, charterers, vessel owners, receivers, importers, and exporters began making plans to divert their ships and cargo to other ports.

In response to the association’s request, the port has been restored to its normal state.