A recruitment ban enforced on the port sector has caused a drastic fall in the number of workforce employed in the sector, said leaders of the Joint Forum of the Trade Unions, Cochin Port.
“The strength of the workforce in the major ports in the country is declining. In a period of 10 years, the number of workers has come down by 50 per cent. The total number of workers employed in all the 12 major ports in the country is just about 54,000. The number of workers employed at the Cochin Port is only 2,750,” said the leaders.
“The recruitment ban has adversely affected even the promotions of workers because entry-level posts have been lying vacant for a long time,” leaders pointed out in a memorandum submitted to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture. The trade union leaders have urged the Parliament Committee to look into the matter.
“As of now, it is very difficulty to carry out port operations with the severe manpower shortage,” leaders added.
“Even the workers employed in the died in harness cases are in a dilemma. Further, the principles of reservation have suffered a set back, putting members of the down-trodden communities in trouble. Essential services rendered by the port, including cargo handling, marine operations, medical services etc have been affected drastically,” leaders stated.
In the memorandum it has also been stated that projects developed under the BOT, BOOT and PPP modes, in which waterfront land are given on nominal rents for long periods, should be discouraged.
“The negative impact of these practices is multifarious, as public property is given to MNCs at throwaway prices, resulting in tremendous job loss, exploitation of labour and financial crisis of existing ports,” said Trade Union Forum chairman P M Mohammed Haneef and general convener C D Nandakumar.