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Cochin Port Employees Organisation, one of the five major federations of port and dock workers, has demanded the Shipping Ministry to withdraw the Major Port Authority Bill 2016, as it would lead to corporatisation and privatisation of major ports in the country.
Submitting a charter of demands, CD Nandakumar, general secretary, CPEO asked the Ministry to fill up all the vacant posts to ensure smooth and effective functioning of ports instead of resorting to short-cuts to carry out port operations. The government should also complete the process of BWNC (Bipartite Wage Negotiation Committee) and conclude settlement to ensure decent benefits to port and dock workers.
To ensure uninterrupted pension payments, the association demanded the formation of a common pension fund centrally applicable to all major ports. It also asked the government to withdraw its decision in to entrust all port related jobs on contract and outsourcing basis.
To rejuvenate the operations of Kochi Port, CPEO urged the Ministry to take efforts to revive and redevelop Willingdon Island by resuming an effective cargo handling operations so as to attract more cargoes.
The post of chairman in Kochi Port is lying vacant for a long time and the Ministry should take the initiatives to fill up the post including that of deputy chairman and other department heads to ensure smooth, effective and efficient functioning of the port operations, the organisation said.
To cater to the dredging needs of major ports including that of Kochi, the association demanded the formation of a consortium to enable the continued service of Dredging Corporation of India. The rising expenditure for dredging in Kochi is a major concern and the government should evolve a mechanism to meet the dredging expenditure by Southern Naval Command, Cochin Shipyard, Coast Guard and Kochi Port on proportionate sharing basis based on the Rakesh Mohan Committee recommendations.
The Ministry should also take the initiative to procure suitable and modern dredger for Kochi Port, considering the peculiar necessity of dredging.
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