Indian Port Workers Plan Protests Over Salary Agreement Delays

The National Coordination Committee of six port and port workers’ associations plans to stage protests in December to express their dissatisfaction with the Indian Ports Association (IPA) for the slow implementation of the salary agreement negotiated on September 27. The All-India Port & Dock Workers Federation (HMS), All India Port & Dock Workers Federation (Workers) (HMS), Water Transport Workers Federation of India (CITU), Port Dock & Waterfront Workers Federation of India (AITUC), India The National Port & Dock Workers Federation (INTUC), and Bharatiya Port & Dock Mazdoor Mahasangh (BMS) were among the groups involved.

Leaders of the associations decided that members would write to the chairmen of major ports on November 28 to demand immediate implementation of the agreement. On December 5, employees planned to protest by wearing badges and holding large-scale demonstrations in front of port administration buildings. Further protests involving workers and pensioners were scheduled for December 10 to demand settlement and payment of pension benefits.

The associations warned of industrial action, including an indefinite strike starting on December 17 if the agreement remained unexecuted. They emphasized that even two months after its signing, the settlement, which covers wage adjustments and pension benefits from January 1, 2022, had not been implemented. The delay was attributed to prolonged negotiations by the Bipartite Pay Negotiation Committee (BWNC), prompting employees to call for an indefinite strike in August 2024. Despite reaching a formal agreement with the Regional Labor Commissioner (C) in Mumbai and signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on August 27, the IPA had not progressed with the implementation.

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