Indian Dockworkers Threaten Strike Over Wage & Benefit Issues

Indian dockworkers are preparing for an indefinite strike starting on December 17 unless their demands for wage revisions and productivity-linked rewards are addressed by December 15. Labor unions have accused the government of failing to fulfill commitments made earlier this year.

The strike call comes from a coalition of six labor unions representing dockworkers. Since their last contract expired in 2021, workers have been receiving temporary pay while negotiations for a new agreement have been ongoing. They are seeking backdated implementation of productivity-linked incentives, along with updates to salaries and pension benefits.

In September, an agreement was reached between unions and the government, preventing a nationwide strike at that time. However, workers are now protesting the government’s failure to deliver on the agreed terms even two months later.

The unions have announced a phased protest plan. Demonstrations will begin on December 5 and expand to include retired employees by December 10. If their demands are still unmet, a nationwide strike will be launched on December 17, affecting 12 government-operated ports.

These ports, some of the largest in India, handle a substantial share of the country’s trade. The strike is expected to involve approximately 18,000 workers and could result in an estimated daily economic loss of $15 million due to disrupted port operations.