Iron ore handling at the Chennai port has come to a standstill following a flash strike called by ‘skilled workers’ since Monday.
Skilled workers at the iron ore facility inside the Chennai port claim that they have not received any promotion for the past 30 years. Currently, around 500-600 workers are participating in the strike, said G M Krishnamurthy, general secretary, Madras Port Trust Employees Union.
Talks between the port management and Union representatives on Tuesday failed.
Chennai Port’s acting chairman Subhash Kumar while terming the strike “illegal”, said the unions were not willing to come forward for talks. “Unless they come forward for talks we cannot take any decision,” he said.
Mumbai, Kandla, Kochi, New Mangalore, Vishakapatnam, Mormugoa, Tuticorin, JNPT, Paradip and Kolkata ports have implemented the ‘Classification Committee’ report for skilled workers by giving promotional opportunities. However, the Chennai Port Trust is yet to implement the said report.
“No decision has been taken by the Chennai port administration till date. The said issue is pending for about a year and this led to spontaneous stoppage of work by the skilled workers,” said Krishnamurthy.
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The unions are insisting for a time commitment from the port to resolve the issue.
According to industry sources, an exporter will lose around $20,000 (around Rs 1 crore) a day by way of paying demurrage.
Currently one ship has anchored inside the port and four others are waiting outside. Exporters have already lost $100,000 due to the strike, they said.