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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Bengaluru (PTI): A truck driver allegedly died by suicide after testing positive for drunk driving during a routine police inspection, police said on Sunday.

On Saturday around 11 pm, the traffic police intercepted a Tamil Nadu-registered truck near the Outer Ring Road (ORR) under J P Nagar police station limits for checking.

The driver tested positive for drunk driving, following which the vehicle was impounded, and a notice was issued to him, officials said.

On Sunday morning, police received information that the driver of the same truck had hung himself.

A detailed investigation will look into all angles, police said adding that the deceased person’s family has been informed.

"They said CCTV and body-worn camera footage show the driver was in good condition while leaving after receiving the notice," he added.