Dockworkers Strike in India

Cargo handling held up at Port of Haldia

 

Cargo handling at India’s Port of Haldia has been affected by a strike by unionized dockworkers who joined protests calling for wage increases and additional benefits.

 

Reports said the strikers blockaded the entry and exit to the dock, obstructing traffic movements.

“There are two container vessels at berth. There have also been reports of violence around the port area,” a shipping line agent reported from Haldia.

 

The labor action, which began on Monday, is the latest in a string of work stoppages at Haldia, a sister facility of Kolkata on the east coast, after the authority handed over onboard operations at two berths to a private contractor.

Officials said despite several rounds of talks between representatives of the contractor and trade unions, no settlement was reached as of Wednesday.

 

In fiscal 2008-09 ended March 31, consolidated throughput at Kolkata declined 6 percent to 54 million tons from 57 million tons the previous year. Container volume rose to 429,000 TEUs from 425,000 TEUs.

Total traffic in the April-May period, the first two months of fiscal 2009-10, was estimated at 7.5 million tons, down 19 percent from 9.2 million tons, while box volume increased to 75,000 TEUs from 74,000 TEUs.

 

(Source: Journal of Commerce)