Notice! Port operations disrupted, nationwide indefinite strike!

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In the near future, a general strike may break out in India's major ports!

According to foreign media reports, dockworkers at India's 12 largest ports announced that they will go on strike indefinitely starting on August 28 because previous protracted salary negotiations failed to reach an agreement.

This may lead to disruptions in port operations and logistics delays across India.

The decision was finalized after a two-day meeting held at the V.O.C. port in Thoothukudi, including the All India Ports and Dockers Federation, Indian Water Transport Workers Federation, National Federation of Ports and Dockers of India Leaders of several federations, including others, participated in the discussion and discussed the course of action.

Members of the National Coordination Committee unanimously decided to take industrial action, including strikes, nationwide from August 28 to force the government to face up to and resolve the workers' reasonable demands. It also called on the government to intervene in negotiations as soon as possible to ensure that workers' wages and allowances are reasonably adjusted and to restore normal operating order at the port.

The workers’ dissatisfaction stems from the fact that the last wage agreement expired on December 31, 2021, but they have not yet received a new adjustment plan. Although the Ministry of Shipping established the Bilateral Wage Negotiation Committee (BWNC) in March 2021, the two sides failed to reach an agreement after lengthy negotiations of 31 months and 7 meetings.

Union leaders accused the Ministry of Shipping of proposing "illogical and illegal guidelines" that have seriously hindered the negotiation process and are completely different from previous settlement methods.

The core demands of the strike include revision of wage scales, assembly of benefits, protection of existing benefits, implementation of previous settlements, cancellation of allowances (DA) and payment of arrears. Of particular note, workers are also strongly demanding that pension benefits effective from January 2022 be guaranteed, as the validity period of the previous settlement has ended.

Additionally, unions are unhappy with the delay in payment of Productivity Linked Reward (PLR). This award is usually given out during the annual festive season, but the payment of the bonus has been delayed due to the failure of the Shipping Ministry to approve the statutory settlement under the new Major Port Authorities Act 2021. Unions believe the delays have further fueled worker dissatisfaction.

Union representatives have warned that the Department of Transport's "lazy attitude" is leading to growing unrest among port workers and could disrupt port operations across the country.

As strike looms, operations at major Indian portsThe industrial relations climate has reached a critical point.

Union leaders stressed that the situation had been deteriorating over the past five years and that there had never been any negotiations between the Labor Ministry and the TUC. This is in stark contrast to the past, where meetings were held every three months to address issues.

Analysts pointed out that if the government cannot take effective measures to resolve this dispute, nationwide strike action is expected to have a significant impact on India's port operations, which may disrupt the flow of import and export goods and affect the overall economy.

The world's largest freight forwarding companyKuehneNagel warningThe looming strike could severely disrupt the movement of goods, leading to delays, increased costs and congestion.

In addition, India's container shippers also recently warned that if negotiations with the authorities fail to reach an agreement, they will drive vehicles off the road starting Tuesday, August 20, and container shippers at Indian ports have warned of strikes. ! A strike movement began in the state of Maharashtra where it is located.

Transport workers intend to protest against the difficult conditions they have been facing. The Transporters Association said in a statement that its members are responsible for a variety of charges levied on them, including damage charges for container handling and parking charges.

Operators are urged to require collection of fees from importer/exporter/shipping company representatives, suspension of collection of highway tolls and refund of tolls to drivers.

Transporters also complained of the "deteriorated" condition of the Mumbai-Gujarat/Gujarat-Nashik highway, damaging their vehicles. It is also claimed that police authorities have been targeting drivers with fines and their focus has shifted from enforcement to profit making.

According to local sources, transporters and authorities plan to hold meetings on August 16 and 17 to avert a possible strike. If no agreement is reached during the meeting, the strike is expected to begin on August 20.

While there is no limit on how long the suspension will last, operators say they will continue until their concerns are addressed.

Nhava Sheva Port, also known as Jawaharlal Nehru Port is India's largest container port, handling approximately 50% of the country's containerized cargo traffic. Strikes by carriers can severely disrupt cargo movements, leading to delays, increased costs and port congestion.

Freight forwarders and cargo owners who have shipped to India recently should pay attention to the latest situation and pay attention to the delays and impacts of these upcoming and possible strikes on cargo transportation!