The Gopalpur Port has witnessed yet another unprecedented labour unrest resulting in the damage of the port properties worth lakhs of rupees, revealed sources.
A rift broke out between the port authority and the leaders of two labour unions over engagement of fresh workers by retrenching old ones. According to sources, the port authority had recently retrenched labourers of two specific unions violating an earlier agreement that triggered the unrest.
Protesting such illegal retrenchment and de-engagement of labourers, hundreds of laborers staged a demonstration chanting slogans against the port authorities in front of its main gate.
They did not allow even the regular employees of the port to enter inside, which led to a scuffle in which three of the port employees were injured. They were identified as Trilochan Behera, Manoj Kumar Behera and Thakur Prasad Bisoi. Soon, the trio was admitted into the Sub-Divisional Hospital at Chatrapur.
Immediately after the incident, Chatrapur Sub Collector Ajaya Jena, Chatrapur SDPO Alekh Chandra Pahi, and Chamakhandi police station IIC Ashoak Parida reached the spot and tried to pacify the incident, but in vain.
The labourers of both the trade unions led by Port Majdoor Union president G. Erraya were sitting on a dharana in front of the main gate of the port till the report was filed. They vowed to continue the protest till their demands are met, said a union leader.
Gopalpur Port MD is likely to visit the place shortly for a settlement, sources revealed. It may be recalled here that in March last, the port authority reportedly had made an agreement with the two trade unions for engagement of their labour force in the port work.
After five days of working, the port authority reportedly de-engaged 290 labourers and recruited fresh labourers that triggered distrust between the port authority and the labour unions, sources said.