All India Ports and Dock Workers Federation has asked Ministry of Shipping not to promote privatisation projects in the port sector as it feels that such projects are hurting the interest of the port workers While the Government of India (GoI) is increasingly promoting privatisation activities in the major ports of the country, the All India Ports and Dock Workers Federation has expressed its dissatisfaction on GoI initiatives. On the sidelines of a meeting held in Cochin, the federation stated that the move for privatisation is hurting the interest of port workers and has urged the Ministry of Shipping (MoS) to refrain itself from encouraging privatisation. Not only this, the federation has also adopted a resolution of not allowing foreign firms to take over port infrastructure in the country and accused port authorities and MoS of not consulting the federation while outsourcing port activities to private players.
 Major ports performing beyond expectation
Backing its decision, federation members argued that the points on the basis of which the government is promoting privatisation can be improved even without the involvement of private players. It is to be noted that in order to enhance productivity and efficiency of the major ports of the country, GoI has been luring private players. The federation stated that productivity and efficiency can be boosted by equipping ports with the latest hi-tech equipment.
According to Sunil Pawar, managing director of Pratibha Shipping Company Ltd, a leading shipping firm in Mumbai and a member of Indian National Shipowners’ Association (INSA), “There is no need for privatisation of the major ports as most of them have been performing beyond expectations and are poised to achieve high growth in 2010-11. Most of the projects undertaken by private players are aimed to elevate their individual finances and has very little to do with the interest of the port workers.”
Federation members also pointed out that most multi-national companies involved in the port sector undertake activities, which hardly benefit port workers. This is a cause of concern particularly when the port sector plays an instrumental role in the nation’s economy.
In this context, Winston Vinod Kumar, manager of Geo Logistics, a mid-sized logistics firm in Bengaluru, says, “The issue is very sensitive. GoI must frame policies that benefit both workers and private players. One cannot underestimate the contribution of the private sector in several port projects undertaken in the country, but at the same time it is important to ensure that the interests of the workers are borne in mind.” The federation also pointed to denial of security benefits to many workers who work on a contract basis.
The federation also charged port authorities of the major ports for imposing guidelines that are not in conformation with the provisions mentioned in the Major Port Trust Act 1963. Imposition of such guidelines according to the federation has resulted in deteriorating industrial relationship at the ports.
Need for a better platform for interaction
The federation also accused the Indian Ports Association (IPA) of taking several decisions against the interest of port workers and without consulting the associated trade unions. The federation has urged MoS to come up with a proper platform for better interaction between port workers and the management.
Arup Choudhury |
