MPT employees union workers protest outside the MPT Gate.
VASCO
The Mormugao Port trust (MPT) workers union on Wednesday afternoon protested outside the gates of MPT administrative building over the proposed plans of MPT outsourcing operations and maintenance of berths 10 and 11 on PPP mode.
Union leader Laxmikant Gaude said the issue was under dispute and hoped that the labour commissioner would intervene to give justice to MPT workers and the workers would decide the further course of action if they don't get a solution from authorities.
"The port management is planning to outsource operations and maintenance of berths 10 and 11 on PPP Mode. The workers will lose their jobs if these berths are outsourced. We will place this issue with the labour commissioner,” said Gaude.
“While the first conciliation has been completed, the second conciliation has been scheduled on December 22 and we will look for a solution. We demand that this proposal be cancelled immediately or it could have a bad impact on workers and even other vendors like stevedores, logistic agents, etc. A private player will take over the berth and many could lose their jobs," said Gaude.
Another union leader Cruz Mascarenhas said the issue was deferred but the union wanted the issue to be dropped.
"Around 800 workers could be affected and lose their jobs. This is only a demonstration but if the issue is not resolved, we will go on a strike and get other vendors including stevedores and others and stop all works of the port," said Mascarenhas.
