A move by Mumbai Port Trust that could render around 100 employees out of the 151 stationed at the port's Ballard Pier Station jobless is being opposed by the Transport and Dock Workers' Union of India.
According to union president S R Kulkarni, the port is violating the government's guidelines on privatisation of ports. He said
before tendering the project for privatisation the port had to ascertain the number of employees that will be rendered unemployed. Also the existing employees need to be absorbed by the successful private bidder.
In December 2007, Indira Container Terminal Pvt Ltd or ICTPL, a subsidiary of Gammon India and Dragados of Spain, signed an agreement with Mumbai Port for operation and management including necessary developments and augmentation of the facilities of BP station.
The parties also agreed for development, construction, operation and management of an offshore container terminal in the Mumbai Harbour.
The port issued a letter in 2007 saying that only 50 employees would be employed as a result of handing over the BPS Terminal to a private bidder. Also, the port issued a circular inviting the employees and workers to apply for jobs to Gammon India who bagged the offshore container terminal's work on a BOT basis.
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