Kochi: The seven-day-old strike being organised by the container lorry workers at Cochin Port was called off on Tuesday following the talks initiated by Transport Minister Thomas Chandy and officials.
“In the meeting we were given an assurance that the lorry drivers would not be penalized for any overload in trucks,” said K.V.Madhukumar, district secretary of the Thozhilali Sangh affiliated BMS.
“The minister assured us that suspended license of the truck drivers would be given back if an appeal is given,” he added. One section of the container truck drivers was in strike in protest against the Motor Vehicle Department’s action of penalizing the drivers for carrying overload.
According to them, the DP World which is operating ICTT is responsible for overloading. As a part of protest, the family members of truck drivers marched to the DP World Office on Tuesday.
The Thozhilali Sangh organized a relay sathyagraha at the Bolgatty Junction prior to Tuesday’s conciliatory meeting.
The strike hit the working of the terminal hard resulting in the loss of crores of rupees in revenue. The strike led by the BMS affiliated association had the support of Container Carrier Owners Co-ordination Committee. The DP World has filed a petition in the Kerala High Court seeking a ban on protests or strike inside the ICTT terminal.
