Cochin Chamber concerned over frequent strikes at terminal

The Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry today expressed concern over frequent strikes at the International Container Transhipment Terminal at Vallarpadam here.
Issuing a statement ahead of the planned indefinite strike by the Lorry Owners Association together with the Trade Union Coordination Committee from April 26 on the parking yard issue, the Chamber said the strike is expected to hit the Exim trade and could also damage perishable goods like fruits and vegetables.
"These frequent strikes will only dampen the prospects of the Terminal," the chamber said.
The chamber also expressed sadness over the delay on the part of Cochin Port Trust to provide truck parking yards on Vallarpadam Island.

The strike is to protest against the Cochin Port Trust delaying their decision to provide a parking yard for the container trucks.
"We fail to understand why there should be a total stoppage of work at the Port at a time when the shippers are under tremendous pressure to meet various export commitments," Chamber president C S Kartha said.

He noted that following the last strike for wage revision, around 7,000 import and 3,000 export containers piled up at the terminal for clearance.
"There were also reports that the feeder vessels are planning to impose a surcharge on each container to compensate for the losses incurred during the strike.

"These actions will adversely affect the Exim trade in general as a majority are working on very thin profit margins...We in the Chamber feel that the current strike is totally uncalled for and would once again bring into question the credibility of Kochi and its operations," Kartha said.