Port workers threaten strike from Dec 8

The port and dock workers continued their agitation in support of their various demands, including 20 per cent bonus before Diwali, and have threatened to launch an indefinite strike in December to press for their demands.

The port workers held demonstrations in the city in front of the Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) demanding 20 per cent bonus before Diwali, a Transport and Dock Workers' Federation release said.

Federation general secretary Mohammed Haneef asked workers to be ready to launch an indefinite strike from December eight or on any day thereafter to "secure justice in support of their legitimate demands".

All India Port and Dock Workers' Federation president S R Kulkarni said it was regrettable that shipping ministry was insisting that the productivity should be calculated on port-wise basis instead of all port basis, which has been in vogue for more than 30 years.

Since the service conditions of port and dock workers at all the major ports are uniform from 1964, the federations are not prepared to accept bonus on port-wise basis, it added.