In India, port workers' unions have called for a major nationwide strike, demanding wage revisions and an immediate settlement of pension rights from August 28.
The strike, which involves around 20,000 workers, could further deepen the current intensity problems in Asian and European ports, negatively impacting global trade and logistics processes.
WORKERS STAGED FOR Wage AND RETIREMENT RIGHTS
The decision to strike at a meeting at the port of Thoothukudi in India's southern Tamil Nadu state came after workers failed to respond to long-awaited demands for wages and pensions.
While the bilateral wage negotiation committee established in March 2021 could not reach any solution to the demands of the workers, the previous agreement expired in December 2021.
GLOBAL TRADE IS AT DANGER
The strike threatens India's major ports, such as Chennai, Cochin and Mumbai, with an annual payload of 1.62 billion metric tons. In addition, India's exports of $437 billion and imports of $677 billion in the 2024 fiscal year increase the possible effects of this strike on global trade.
Government and port administrations are expected to consider workers' demands for salary scales, accumulated payments and protection of their current rights to prevent strikes.
