Dockworkers at India’s twelve largest ports have announced an indefinite strike starting August 28, following prolonged and unsuccessful negotiations over wages and allowances that have been stalled for more than three years.
The decision to strike was made after a two-day meeting at V.O. Chidambaranar Port in Thoothukudi, where members of the All India Port and Dock Workers’ Federation expressed their frustration over the ongoing deadlock in wage discussions.
The previous wage agreement expired in December 2021, and despite the formation of a bipartite wage negotiation committee by the Ministry of Shipping in March 2021, seven meetings over 31 months have failed to yield a resolution.
Union leaders have attributed the impasse to “illogical and unlawful guidelines” imposed by the government, which they argue have hindered meaningful negotiations and exacerbated workers’ dissatisfaction.
The dockworkers are demanding immediate wage revisions, fitment benefits, protection of existing entitlements, and the enforcement of prior agreements.
They are also calling for pension benefits retroactive to January 2022 and the release of delayed productivity-linked rewards, especially as the festival season approaches, a time when bonuses are traditionally distributed.
The situation has been further aggravated by what union officials describe as a “lethargic attitude” from the Ministry of Shipping, which has reportedly not engaged in talks with labor federations on port-related matters for the past five years.
This marks a significant departure from previous practices, where quarterly meetings were held to address workers’ concerns.
The strike is expected to severely disrupt port operations across the country. The dockworkers’ federation has garnered support from other unions, including the Water Transport Workers’ Federation of India, highlighting widespread dissatisfaction with the state of industrial relations at major ports.
Tensions have been particularly high since the enactment of the Major Port Authorities Act in 2021, which centralized control over port management.
As the strike deadline approaches, dockworkers remain resolute in their demands, insisting on a fair and timely resolution to their grievances.
