News in brief:
– Indian port workers are threatening an indefinite strike over unpaid wages and privatisation.
– The strike is expected to begin on Wednesday and could have significant impacts on India’s trade and economy.
About 18,000 Indian workers in 12 different government-run ports are on the verge of an indefinite strike over unpaid pay and unsuccessful pension reform talks.
According to a news report, representatives had spoken to the press on Monday about their grievances. The strike action will begin on Wednesday with workers downing their tools in the morning.
The central government’s Union Ministry of Shipping has been accused of failing to sign a new five-year wage revision for Grade-III and IV employees, which has been due since January 2022.
They also mentioned that while there have been no steps to fill up thousands of vacancies in the Department of Shipping and Ports, berths in ports that generate significant income and entire seaports are being privatised.
These moves have kept many youths out of jobs with about 20,000 employees filling in for over 350,000 vacancies at portsAfDB Concludes Workshop On Imrpoving African Ports Efficiency. In addition, the few employees with jobs are not being paid their salaries consistently.
The V. O. Chidambaranar Port in Thoothukudi, which mainly exports sugar and other building materials, will be closed down completely, the workers’ representatives said. Everyone that works at the port, including permanent employees, contract workers, and private berth workers, is expected to take part in the action.
“If the Union Government is really concerned about the loss to be incurred due to this protest, the Ministry of Shipping and Port should accept the genuine demands of the port workers,” they told the press.
Already, India’s sugar export faces challenges as the government earlier directed a curb, but the second-largest exporter was allegedly considering special licenses for some manufacturers to ship the product.
However, this impending strike will make it impossible for top importers like Indonesia, China, the United States, and Bangladesh to buy the product from India.
Additionally, fertiliser sellers and buyers may have to wait for longer to receive it as India is the second-largest importer of the product because of its large population that is dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods.
