Kerala - Alappuzha   

Workers want revival of Alappuzha Port

— Photo: H. Vibhu

WAITING FOR SAILORS: The dilapidated pier of the Alappuzha port.

ALAPPUZHA: For nearly two decades, the 300-odd workers of the defunct Alappuzha Port have been fighting for their livelihood. Once a hub of marine commerce, the Alappuzha Port lost its glory to Kochi port, which gained prominence.

It has been 19 years since a ship last came with goods to this port. The dilapidated pier master’s cabin, five godowns that have only their frames remaining, and the 150-year-old sea pier now stand testimony to the port’s lost glory. The port office has a few employees but they have no work.

As the port closed down, workers tried to gain a foothold elsewhere, but without success. They were made to believe that the port will be revived. They got a glimmer of hope last year when the government announced a revival package. But nothing much has progressed since then.

On Wednesday the Port Workers’ Protection Council is launching another agitation, undeterred by the fact that several of their earlier protests ended without any result.

Council president S. Damodaran said this time the workers are not in a mood to give up.

“Port officials and the Labour Department had recognised us as workers of the Alappuzha Port after examining our records, and by giving each of us a token. However, the recognition stopped there. Unlike employees of other industries that closed down, we have not been given pensions or any sort of welfare benefits,” he said.

Council secretary B. Ansari said the workers had submitted memoranda demanding welfare schemes and pensions to at least last four governments.

“But none of them have so far been able to do anything. The revival project, for which the government said it would invite global tenders earlier this year, is also not moving,” he said.

On Wednesday, the Council will conduct a march to the District Collectorate. The demands to be raised will include revival of the port, welfare schemes and pensions and festival allowances along with a month’s free ration during Onam.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Rehabilitation project
Workers want revival of Alappuzha Port

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu