Where strike is the norm of the day

KOCHI: The container terminal at the Cochin Port had always been under the threat of a strike. It seems that there is no change in the situation even after the operations were shifted to the International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) at Vallarpadom. The ICTT was commissioned on February 11, this year. The lashing gang workers went on strike the very same day as if they were waiting for the terminal to be commissioned to launch the agitation. The strike lasted for one week. After that the unions of trailer workers agitated in June. The present strike by the same workers launched on June 29 is going on. These strikes and agitations have affected the credibility of the Port among exporters and  shipping lines. Now they are hesitant to do business through Kochi for fear of delay in the delivery of consignments. The business has logically moved to Chennai and Tuticorin ports. Even though they are not technologically advanced these ports are preferred as there are no labour issues.The lorry workers launched the ongoing strike demanding entry for cleaners into the terminal.  “At DP World, we take safety and security seriously across all terminals. The work carried out at the terminals requires heavy equipment. We have to manage any safety risks that one could be exposed to. This requires stringent processes in place and restricted access to the terminal operation area. We restrict the entry of people like trailer cleaners since they do not have any work inside the terminal,” said DP World Cochin CEO K K Krishnadas. For lorry cleaners reaching Vallarpadom, DP World has provided a rest area. They can use it while the containers are being loaded or unloaded inside the terminal yard. This rest area outside the terminal has been provided with adequate seating, fans, water coolers and toilets,” he said.