Chennai air cargo workers strike over export clearance delays

MORE than 250 trucks were parked outside the Chennai air cargo complex, sparking a wildcat strike and threatening more trouble because export cargo cannot be cleared fast enough as it faces red tape, sluggish computers and strict cargo screening procedures.


Striking truckers were later joined by 1,000 clerks of the registered clearing agents of the air cargo complex, who squatted in protest, alleging negligence and demanding better facilities.


One clerk told the Indian Express that there was no space inside for them to unload the cargo and the scanning staff for doing the necessary scans was not available. Complaints were set against all airport agencies including the customs, airlines and the Airport Authority of India (AAI).


"Less availability of scanning staff is delaying the whole process. Customs doesn't have the necessary examiners, and they work at a very slow pace. The new 1.5 version of computer systems they are using take 15 minutes to generate one print out," said a protester.


"The airlines are returning perishable goods at the last minute saying there is no space on the aircraft. These problems have persisted for the last three days," said a clearing agent said.


"Air cargo export operations at the airport are at a standstill. We will withdraw the strike only if promises are kept," said Aircargo Agents Association of India local chairman N Sivasubramaniam.


The problem started a week ago, reported the Times of India, when one of the two customs officials at the counter wasn't present. "It caused a delay in clearing consignment documents for export. It's impossible for a single person to handle more than 700 cargo documents," said an official.


A top airport official said that the protests had nothing to do with AAI and customs denied they had anything top do with the problem either, instead insisting that airlines were "taking more cargo which they are not able to lift."


Said one trucker: "We had to wait all night for clearance. Authorities have still haven't cleared export cargo from the compound, preventing us from unloading fresh cargo."


Sources said export cargo piled up in front of the complex, preventing the entry of vehicles. "As there are already strict traffic rules preventing the movement of containers, we are victims of this delay in bill clearances," said another driver.


The Chennai air cargo hub has experienced phenomenal growth in the last two years, having achieved 35 per cent growth in exports and 15 per cent growth in imports last year with volumes rising to 24,000 tonnes a month from less than half that five years ago.
(Source:http://www.schednet.com)