Cargo loading and unloading operations were hampered for the second day on Wednesday due to a stir by a section of ‘helpers’ prompting a stevedore and the port traffic manager to lodge police complaints on Wednesday.
It is learnt that at least 10 vessels are berthed and loading and unloading of these vessels has been affected since Tuesday.
Unloading of cargo from trains and trucks has also been adversely affected. The situation turned worse on Wednesday as the ‘helpers’ engaged by a particular stevedoring company sought support from all other operators and helpers of other agencies.
On Tuesday, helpers engaged by a stevedoring company had stopped work demanding promotion as operators, EPF, ESI etc.
The helpers alleged that instead of promoting them, the company engaged 16 new operators.
These helpers have informed that they have been obtained licence to work as operators and had been working as helpers since 10 to 12 years.
The company lodged a police complain on Tuesday. Angered by this the helpers tried to intensify their agitation on Wednesday by involving operators and helpers of other stevedoring agencies working in the port.
Meanwhile, traffic manager, Paradip Port Trust Susant Kumar Mishra has lodged an FIR against the workers who have been intensified stir from last two days for affecting the cargo operation in port.