The All-India Port and Dock Workers’ Federation said that an indefinite nationwide strike could come into effect on August 28. Union representatives are trying to thrash out a deal to prevent the industrial action.
Last week, the federation said that no resolution had been reached on pay and conditions following 31 months of ongoing negotiations. A circular from GAC Group said that around 20,000 workers are part of this group of port workers’ unions and all of them are expected to join the strike.
If the strike goes ahead, it is expected to halt cargo handling at all 12 major ports: Deendayal (Kandla), Mumbai, Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT), Mormugao, New Mangalore, Kochi, Ennore (Kamarajar), Chennai, VOC Tuticorin, Visakhapatnam, Paradip and Kolkata (including Haldia). GAC said this would lead to severe delays and congestion, extended turnaround time for vessels. Prolonged disruption will also result in higher operational costs like demurrage, detention, and re-routing expenses.
Operations at private ports/terminals will continue as normal but may experience congestion/delays due to diversions.
Potential industrial action at ports is causing concern across various markets, not least the USA where the possiblity of strikes at East and Gulf Coast gateways is rising.
