AICCTU and AIPWF Demand DC to Solve NMPT Labourers Issues
Mangaluru: All India Central Council of Trade Union (AICCTU) DK district Unit and All India Port Workers Federation (AIPWF) jointly held a protest rally against the New Mangaluru Port Trust (NMPT), demanding increment in salary, in front of the DC office here on December 26.
The protest rally was held from the Mini Vidhana Soudha and culminated in front of the DC office.
Addressing the protesters District Secretary AICCTU Diwakar said, “From past 36 years, the New Mangalore Port Trust has become the major port. Due to shipping companies, transport companies and private contract lobby, labourers did not get an opportunity to work directly under the NMPT and work as daily wage labourers, through the shipping and transport companies. In some shipping companies, the labourers do not have any basic facilities and they work as slaves. There is no security for their job, no medical facilities, no provident fund and labourers have to bear the expenses from their salary. If we take sick leave, our salary will be deducted.
Diwakar further said, “In some companies, the administration has withheld a months salary as a security deposit to stop us from quitting the job. In the NMPT government light vehicle drivers earn a salary of Rs 45,000 to 50,000 including allowances. Whereas, those working in the port as drivers for heavy vehicles on daily wages are not given any facilities such as ESI, PF, and their salary is only Rs 14,000 to Rs 16,000 including other allowances. Our pleas have not been heard by anyone. The DC should intervene to solve the problems faced by the port labourers. The minimum salary should be fixed at Rs 21,000 and equal pay scale should be given to the port labourers”, he demanded.
The district president of AICCTU Satish Kumar also spoke on the occasion. National vice president of AICCTU Shanker, state general secretary Clipton, Social activist Vidhya Dinker, Gopal, Joy Peter, Bharat Amin and Mohan K E were also present.