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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Pilibhit (UP) (PTI): Three criminals allegedly involved in a grenade attack in Gurdaspur were injured in an encounter with a joint team of Uttar Pradesh and Punjab police here early Monday, officials said.

The accused were identified as Gurvinder Singh (25), Virender Singh alias Ravi (23), and Jaspreet Singh alias Pratap Singh (18), all residents of Gurdaspur, police said.

The encounter took place in the Puranpur area here.

Amitabh Yash, Director General (Law and Order), Uttar Pradesh Police said the trio was involved in a grenade attack on a police checkpoint in Gurdaspur, Punjab.

"The three sustained serious injuries in the encounter and were immediately rushed to CHC Puranpur for treatment," he said.

Two AK-47 rifles, two Glock pistols, and a huge cache of ammunition were seized from them, he said.

"The situation on the ground is under control and legal proceedings are underway," Yash said.