Visakhapatnam: Port workers across India have announced an indefinite nationwide strike starting on August 28, demanding the immediate settlement of wage revisions and pension benefits that have been pending for over two years.
Leaders of the Port All-Party trade unions, including BCH Masen (AITUC), K. Mangayanadu (HMS), V.S. Padmanabha (CITU), G. Chandu (INTU), and Ravi (BMS), stated that despite eight meetings over 32 months, a fair wage agreement has not been reached due to unreasonable conditions imposed by the central government.
Following a strike notice, the Indian Ports Association (IPA) offered a 2% wage increase, significantly less than their previous proposal, which the workers have criticised as inadequate. They demand an unconditional and fair wage agreement, along with the immediate payment of bonuses for the last three years.
The workers also oppose the government's plans under the National Monetisation Pipeline to lease major port assets to private and foreign companies. They demand the withdrawal of this programme and the protection of the Port Hospital from being handed over to private management under a PPP model. They advocate for the development of hospital infrastructure using port funds and demand that all existing entry-level jobs be safeguarded.
