The Cochin Port Joint Trade Union Forum has strongly opposed the reported move by the management of Cochin Port Authority to outsource marine and cargo-handling operations, alleging that such decisions threaten workers’ interests and violate long-standing labour practices at the port.
Addressing the issue, Benny Behanan and C.D. Nandakumar, chairman and general convenor of the Forum, called for the immediate withdrawal of any proposal to privatise core operational activities that have traditionally been carried out by regular employees or contract workers engaged directly by the port.
The unions alleged that the port management has already initiated outsourcing measures through the “wet hiring” of mooring boats, where manpower is included as part of the contract, and by outsourcing operations associated with the port’s dredger. According to the Forum, these functions have historically been performed by port workers since the establishment of the port and should remain under direct port control.
Workforce Decline Raises Concerns
The Forum highlighted a severe manpower shortage at the port, claiming that the number of regular workers has dwindled to just 475, excluding officers, due to years of unfilled vacancies arising from retirements. Union leaders argued that the shrinking workforce has placed excessive pressure on existing employees, resulting in increased workloads, mental stress and declining morale.
They further stated that the staff shortage has affected several critical departments, including engineering, traffic and marine services, as well as administrative offices and healthcare facilities operated by the port.
Describing the situation as a “manufactured crisis,” the unions accused the management of failing to implement statutory national and port-level labour settlements that mandate the filling of vacant positions. They also alleged that repeated requests for infrastructure improvements and operational upgrades have been ignored despite their importance for the port’s long-term growth and competitiveness.
Lack of Equipment Affecting Competitiveness
The Forum expressed concern over what it described as inadequate cargo-handling infrastructure at the port. According to union representatives, Cochin Port remains the only major port in India without a wharf crane, a critical piece of equipment for efficient cargo operations.
They argued that the combined impact of manpower shortages and insufficient cargo-handling facilities has weakened the port’s reputation among shipping lines and cargo owners, leading some users to shift business to competing ports. The unions pointed to recent trends in vessel arrivals and cargo throughput as evidence of the operational challenges facing the port.
Contract Workers Face Uncertainty
The unions also raised concerns over the treatment of contract workers in the Marine Department. They noted that the management had previously recruited around 100 qualified personnel on one-year contracts to address staffing shortages. However, the Forum alleged that these workers are now being subjected to a “hire-and-fire” approach, with limited job security and inadequate remuneration despite performing essential operational duties.
The Joint Trade Union Forum warned that continued outsourcing of core activities and failure to address staffing shortages could further weaken port operations and adversely affect employee welfare. The unions have urged the port management to prioritise permanent recruitment, modernisation of infrastructure and adherence to labour agreements to ensure the sustainable development of the port.
