Paradip port workers stage protest over pending salary ahead of President’s visit

Paradip: Workers of Paradip Port in Odisha’s Jagatsinghpur district staged a demonstration the International Cargo Terminal (ICT) gate on Saturday demanding among other things pending salary and reinstatement of laid-off employees.

The protesters who gathered under the banner of Paradip Port Labourers Union staged a sit-in in front of the gate with their children. The agitation came ahead of President Droupadi Murmu’s Paradip visit on Sunday.

It may be noted here that the workers have been protesting on the side of the road for the last three days and on Saturday, they sat in front of the PICT in a bid to intensify their protest after the port authorities allegedly did not pay heed to their demands.

Their major demands included reinstatement of laid-off labourers and employees, payment of pending salary and bonus.

The protesters have also threatened to continue the strike until their demands are met.

Meanwhile, the Additional District Magistrate (ADM) called a meeting where the port authorities and the labour union representatives were present for discussion to reach an agreement for ending the protest.

Adequate police personnel have been deployed near the ssite in view of the President’s scheduled visit tomorrow.