Mangaluru: Workers at the New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) have been on an indefinite strike since January 29 to press the authorities to full fill their various demands including the implementation of minimum wages.


All shipping companies workers must get minimum wages declared by the central government. Per hour Rs. 150 OT must be paid. Every year, 20 percent of minimum wages must be given as a bonus. Equal pay for equal work should be carried like harbor's direct employees. All workers job should be made permanent. No worker should be removed by giving false reasons. These are the demands for which workers of NMPT shipping company are protesting.


This is the first time, workers of the shipping company have come forward to raise their voice against the authorities to full fill their demands.


AICCTU national vice-president Shankar said "first time in the history, more than 1000 workers have staged the protest near NMPT entrance gate.  Maximum laborers are localities. During this protest, the authorities of the company have brought labors from Bihar and Ballary and taking work from them. When there is the legal protest in the process, recruiting temporary workers is illegal and is an unfair labor practice which is prohibited according to the Industrial Dispute Act 1947".

Letters sent to shipping company


 "Letters have been dispatched stating that workers are absent which is illegal. There is a legal strike going on, and workers are being harassed and threatened by all means. Shipping companies are visiting the workers' residence and threatening them to join work. Our workers are determined, and they have been asked to sign an agreement with the Labour Department in the presence of deputy labor commissioner under section 12(3) so that workers will be safe. The management of both the companies have promised many things, but never fulfilled them," he added.

Meeting on February 6


"A conciliation meeting has been called by deputy chief labor commissioner (Central) Subramaniam on February 6. He is the Karnataka in-charge and the labor authority deputed by the central government to handle the issue of the strike here. If the company management attends the meeting tomorrow, before the labor authority meeting, we are willing to cooperate fully to solve the issue. If our demands are not met, we will have to continue the strike. Now, the ball is in the court of the shipping company," he said.

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London, Nov 22: A bomb disposal squad deployed as a “precaution” to the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport concluded an investigation into a "security incident" on Friday after making a “suspect package” safe.

The South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, the UK's second busiest airport after Heathrow, which was briefly shut owing to the incident reopened following the incident.

The Gatwick is around 45 km south of London.

Two people detained during the enquiries have since been allowed to continue their journey as the airport was opened.

“Police have concluded their investigation into a report of a suspect package at Gatwick Airport. Officers from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team made the package safe, and the airport has been handed back to its operator,” Sussex Police said in an updated statement.

“Two people detained while enquiries were ongoing have subsequently been allowed to continue their journeys. There will remain an increased police presence in the area to assist with passengers accessing the South Terminal for onward travel,” the statement added.

Earlier on Friday, the incident caused severe disruption at the busy airport’s South Terminal, while the North Terminal of Gatwick Airport remained unaffected.

“Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20 am on Friday (November 22) following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage,” a Sussex Police statement said.

“To ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users, a security cordon has been put in place whilst the matter is dealt with. As a precaution, an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team is being deployed to the airport. This is causing significant disruption and some roads around the South Terminal have been closed. We’d advise the public to avoid the area where possible,” it said.

Footage on social media taken outside the airport showed crowds of frustrated travellers being moved away from the terminal building.

Gatwick said it was working hard to resolve the issue.

“A large part of the South Terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while we continue to investigate a security incident," the airport said in a social media post.

“Passengers will not be able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing. The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our top priority. We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”

Train and bus services that serve the airport were also impacted while the police carried out their inquiries.

In an unrelated incident in south London on Friday morning, the US Embassy area in Nine Elms by the River Thames was the scene of a controlled explosion by Scotland Yard dealing with what they believe may have been a “hoax device”.

“We can confirm the 'loud bang' reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers,” the Metropolitan Police said in a post on X.

“Initial indications are that the item was a hoax device. An investigation will now follow. Some cordons will remain in place for the time being but the majority of the police response will now be stood down,” it added.