Date:03/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/03/stories/2008120358860300.htm

Kerala - Kochi

Port workers call for signing of wage agreement

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: All India Port and Dock Workers’ Federation has accepted the 10-year periodicity of a new wage settlement, with effect from January 2007, provided the management agreed to grant all the benefits recommended by the Sixth Pay Commission including fringe benefits.

A statement from the federation quoted S. R. Kulkarni, president, as saying thatUnion Shipping Minister T. R. Baalu should accept this gesture from the port and dock workers in the country and advise the port managements to sign the agreement without delay.

The statement said that due to the delay in the wage settlement, there was uneasiness among port workers.