Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had assured that the ports will not be privatized and that they will remain in government hands. He was addressing a function in Mumbai this morning. He expected that JNPT SEZ will provide employment to 1.5 lakh people in next few years. He had also informed that 3 lakh work orders have already been issued under Sagarmala program and that investment of Rs. 16 lakh crore is expected for the same.
The agreement of settlement to provide 10.6% wage hike to at least 32,000 workers and 1lakh pensioners in 12 major ports was signed on the occasion in the presence of Mr Nitin Gadkari, port officials and workers federation. The workers and pensioners will get this benefit for a period of five-years, beginning January 2017.
Overall financial implication of this settlement for all the major ports for workers and pensioners is about 560 crore per annum. It includes 360 crore rupees for serving employees and 200 crore rupees for pensioners. The Bipartite Wage Negotiation Committee comprising representatives from the Indian Ports Association and the five workers’ unions at major port trusts agreed to the increase.
