VASCO
The Mormugao Port and Railways Worker Union ( MPARWU) on Thursday alleged that the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) is privatising Berths 9, 10 and 11 in the port and feared it would will lead to reduction of employment on a large scale and while also making MPT financially unstable .
MPARWU leaders who addressed a news conference along with leaders of the All India Port & Dock Workers’ Federation alleged that there were attempts by MPT to privatise the port hospital as well.
“Berth 9 which was predominantly operated with a mechanised plant handling iron ore was decommissioned in 2016 and it was approved to lease out on PPP model to handle different types of bulk cargo,” said MPARWU Working President Jude D’Costa.
"We are not against any development, but while taking such a major decision to handover the port’s national assets in the hands of private entities, utmost precautions need to be taken to protect the interest of the port, its employees and pensioners. The Port Management on the basis of a report submitted by a consultant has gone ahead with the process of outsourcing the Berth 9," said D’Costa.
"The Port Management has also floated an Expression of Interest (EoI) for Berths 10 & 11 and held a meeting with interested parties. Presently, port employees are engaged only on these two port operated berths and others are managed/operated either by PPP operators or by private parties.”
“The Port is also in the process of privatising the port’s hospital and the union will oppose this tooth and nail," added D’Costa.
MPARWU General Secretary Cruz Mascarenhas said there were approximately 1,300 employees and 4,500 pensioners dependent on the port’s revenue.
"In the event of handing over the berths to a private entity, port employees will be rendered surplus and might lose employment. In addition, there are over 5,000 families indirectly benefiting due to these berths, especially the transporters, ship chandlers, stevedores, etc. and their employees will also lose employment,” said Mascarenhas.
MPARWU leaders who addressed a news conference along with leaders of the All India Port & Dock Workers’ Federation alleged that there were attempts by MPT to privatise the port hospital as well.
“Berth 9 which was predominantly operated with a mechanised plant handling iron ore was decommissioned in 2016 and it was approved to lease out on PPP model to handle different types of bulk cargo,” said MPARWU Working President Jude D’Costa.
"We are not against any development, but while taking such a major decision to handover the port’s national assets in the hands of private entities, utmost precautions need to be taken to protect the interest of the port, its employees and pensioners. The Port Management on the basis of a report submitted by a consultant has gone ahead with the process of outsourcing the Berth 9," said D’Costa.
"The Port Management has also floated an Expression of Interest (EoI) for Berths 10 & 11 and held a meeting with interested parties. Presently, port employees are engaged only on these two port operated berths and others are managed/operated either by PPP operators or by private parties.”
“The Port is also in the process of privatising the port’s hospital and the union will oppose this tooth and nail," added D’Costa.
MPARWU General Secretary Cruz Mascarenhas said there were approximately 1,300 employees and 4,500 pensioners dependent on the port’s revenue.
"In the event of handing over the berths to a private entity, port employees will be rendered surplus and might lose employment. In addition, there are over 5,000 families indirectly benefiting due to these berths, especially the transporters, ship chandlers, stevedores, etc. and their employees will also lose employment,” said Mascarenhas.
