Kolkata: The ongoing impasse between a listed public sector company, Dredging Corporation of India (DCI) and its employees is likely to escalate into a major standoff between Indian seafarers and Government of India as Mumbai based leading maritime unions, National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI) and The Maritime Union of India (MUI) are planning a nationwide agitation, primarily to opposite Government of India’s move to privatize DCI – a profit-making enterprise.
Mr Abdulgani Serang, General Secretary, NUSI, said: “Since its inception in 1976, DCI continues to serve Indian ports at low margins and also executes dredging contracts on behalf of Indian Navy. DCI is thus privy to vital and sensitive defense related information. Privatizing profit-making DCI is hence not in the interest of nation’s interest. NUSI will launch a nationwide agitation of Indian seafarers if Government of India fails to accept our legitimate demand.”
Mr Amar Singh Thakur, General Secretary, MUI, said: “Liquidating a majority stake of DCI in favor of private players will be a huge blow to the country’s exchequer as dredging charges might shoot up phenomenally. Also, vital marine installations at Indian ports will be exposed to foreign workforce employed for dredging activities by private players. Moreover, privatization of DCI will demoralize Indian marine workforce keen on serving the country’s buoyant dredging sector. Current workforce of DCI might loose their jobs, and unemployment in the sector may rise.”
DCI is a ‘Miniratna’public sector company engaged in the business of dredging. The main seaports in which DCI does business are Vishakhapatnam Port,Haldia, KANDLA, Cochin Port and Ennore Port.
No comments:
Post a Comment