The deafening silence greets you as the car approaches the dock complex. The otherwise busy entry road to the port wears a deserted look, reflecting the tension surrounding ABG Haldia Bulk Terminals’ (HBTs’) decision to terminate its business here.
The silence is suddenly broken by a screaming loudspeaker perched on the top of an approaching Maruti Omni, urging port workers to stay united.
About 100 metres from the main gate of Haldia Dock Complex (HDC) a group of 25 people are playing cards under a banner protesting the layoff of 275 HBT workers. Their leader is busy on the phone, explaining the workers’ demand to a journalist from a vernacular daily.
“We are not backed by any political party. We are contractual workers. It is a peaceful protest against HBT’s decision to cut jobs. We are not preventing anyone from entering the dock. You can check, work is on in all the berths except number two and eight (where HBT has suspended work for over a month now),” he tells us, declining to be named.
In 2007, HBT, a joint venture between ABG Infralogistics and French firm Louis Dreyfus Armateurs, won the bid for operating two berths in HDC. Yesterday, HBT said it would exit HDC, alleging law and order issues. The cargo handler also said the local administration had failed to ensure security for its employees. The move came after it retrenched 275 workers, triggering protest from employee unions.
“We want ABG to stay. Our life has improved after HBT started operations. We are willing to relocate if the company offers us a choice,” a worker not among those who lost jobs at HBT told Business Standard over phone.
He not only requested anonymity but also refused to come out of his house to speak to the paper. “If they (the striking workers) find me talking to the press, they will beat me,” he said, sounding terrified.
Three other workers who also did not lose their job at HBT refused to speak to Business Standard. “What is the guarantee that you will keep us anonymous? We will have to live here,” one of them said over phone.
Next to the protesters, a temporary platform is being created. The Trinamool Congress’ Member of Parliament, Suvendu Adhikari, is scheduled to address the protesters tomorrow. “We are not backed by any political party,” the leader reiterated but added they were willing to accept support if it was offered by political parties.
With HBT pulling out, there is a change in their demand. Now, they want all the 623 workers of HBT, including those retrenched by the company, to be hired by the new company to get the contract to operate the two berths.
“We don’t want ABG. They have made our life hell,” cried one of the workers and is immediately reprimanded by the leader and his colleagues. At Haldia, the divide between those who want ABG and those who do not is more than apparent.
“He is frustrated. We don’t mind if ABG wants to continue. But they have to work with all the 623 workers,” the leader said.
