NEW DELHI - Union leaders last week continued to block the planned privatization of the container terminal at the Port of Chennai.
The board of trustees of the port was slated to approve the concession agreement to be signed with P&O Australia Ports Pty. Ltd., but deferred the approval under pressure from labor representatives.
Port chairman P. Bhaskaradoss said in Chennai that labor representatives wanted several issues resolved before approving the agreement. A court last month dismissed a lawsuit by unions attempting to block the concession.
The unions say the concession agreement gives only two options to the dockworkers: work for P&O Ports or seek voluntary retirement. The unions are opposing both options, and want to remain on the staff of the state-owned port.
According to the unions, P&O Ports will employ only 550 out of a present total of 1,200 workers, who also would lose pension and other benefits.
P&O Ports was chosen in July last year as the preferred bidder to manage and operate the Chennai container terminal for 30 years.
