NEW DELHI: The proposed move to corporatize major ports of the country by Indian government highly condemned by members of various workers’ unions of V.O. Chidambaranar Port, Tuticorin, and they appealed to the authorities to scrap any such move.
Stating that ports should not be privatised at any cost, R. Russell, secretary, Water Transport Workers’ Federation of India, said here on Tuesday that workers would lose their privileges and maritime economy would suffer a blow if major ports were corporatised. Besides, security of the ports would be at risk.
He said by amalgamating the Major Ports Act, 1963, and the Indian Ports Act, 1908, the Shipping Ministry was keen on getting the Cabinet’s nod for the move by March. The Centre had made it clear that 100 per cent foreign direct investment would be allowed in port sector.
Five workers’ federations had been consistently opposing the move to corporatise and privatise 12 major sea ports since the days of the UPA regime. He said vast tracts of lands were being owned by most of the major ports.
The workers of VOC Port staged a protest on Monday against the Centre’s move, he added.
