Team Goemkarponn
MORMUGAO: Workers of Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) joined a nationwide peaceful protest on Thursday afternoon under the banner of the National Co-ordination Committee (NCC) of Major Port & Dock Workers Federations. This decision follows a meeting of the NCC held on 23rd and 24th November in Goa. The protest, conducted in front of the Main Administrative Office Building at Headland Sada, highlighted several pressing issues faced by port workers across the nation.
The key demands raised during the protest included Implementation of the Bipartite Wage Negotiation Committee (BWNC) settlement dated September 29, 2024, ensuring new wages and associated benefits are paid promptly, Introduction of the Productivity Linked Reward (PLR) for 2020-21 to 2025-26 as approved by the Union Cabinet, under Section 12(3) of the Industrial Disputes Act, Equal treatment for Group C and D employees, eliminating discrimination by authorities, including the Ministry and Extension of statutory benefits to pensioners and family pensioners.
Approximately 400 employees participated in the peaceful protest, wearing black badges and voicing their concerns during their lunch break without disrupting port operations.
Leaders have announced escalating actions if their demands are not addressed.
Leaders have warned that a larger demonstration involving pensioners and their families will be held on December 10, 2024, if wages remain unpaid and An indefinite nationwide strike will commence on December 17, 2024, should authorities fail to meet the demands by December 15, 2024.
Efforts at MPA to implement new wages for Group C and D employees, effective January 1, 2022, are already underway under the leadership of Chairperson Dr. N. Vinodkumar. Leaders have thanked the Chairperson for completing formalities and are now awaiting directions from the Indian Ports Association (IPA), which has been delayed for over two months.
The protest was addressed by prominent union leaders, including Karim A. Mulla, Treasurer of the Mormugao Port & Railway Workers’ Union (MPRW), Cruz Mascarenhas, General Secretary of MPRW Union, and Abhay Rane and Balkrishna Faldessai from the Goa Port Dock Employees (GPDE) Union.
In a statement, Karim A. Mulla reaffirmed the workers’ commitment to securing their legitimate entitlements and protecting trade union rights and privileges.
