Around 100,000 workers across 11 major ports are on strike for a second day with no imminent sign of a resolution to the dispute, Srikrishna Kulkarni, president of the All India Port and Dock Workers Federation said.
“The strike continues. There has been no concrete proposal or even an invitation for talks from the government,” he said.
Kulkarni said the stop work action was across-the-board apart from the handling of oil and chemical tankers at Kandla and Nhava Sheva ports by Indian navy personnel.
The strikers are demanding wage increases every five years, a rent allowance and a city cost-of-living allowance, retrospective from Jan 1, 1998.
The strike has halted operations in the western city of Kandla, India’s biggest port, according to Kandla port chairman Achalkumar Joti.
“All general cargo operations have been paralysed. The workers are squatting outside the main port buildings and holding meetings,” he said.
Saroj Tahiliani, of the Bombaby Port Trust said all employees except security and health workers and ship signalling staff were on strike.
Tahiliani said port officials would hold discussions today with ship clearing agents to try and get ships awaiting berths, docked with the help of management staff.
