The sit-in by hundreds of dock workers at Port Qasim against the privatisation of berths came to an end on Thursday after the ministry of port and shipping constituted a nine-member committee to sort resolve out the issue through dialogue. At least 1757 dockers had been protesting since April 3 against the proposed privatisation of berths number 3 and 4 at Port Qasim's Marginal Wharf. They, initially, staged demonstration at Karachi Press Club and then began holding a sit-in at National Highway since April 10.
Labor leader Hussain Badshah confirmed after a ministry statement said that Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Senator Kamran Michael had intervened to persuade the protestors to end the strike of the PQA dock workers that lasted for 26 days. "Yes, we have called the strike off after reaching a short agreement with the ministry and Port Qasim Authority," Badshah, general secretary of Collective Bargaining Agent of Workers Union of Port Qasim, told Business Recorder.
He said that they were assured that privatisation of the controversial berths would be postponed and that berths number 1 and 2 would never be sold off. "Even if privatised, we shall be given work at the two berths," he claimed. He said that the authorities also assured them that service of none of the 1757 dockers will be terminated. He said the two sides agreed on the formation of a negotiation committee to resolve other related issues amicably.
"The committee will be comprised of five union members and four representatives of the ministry and Port Qasim Authority," he said adding that secretary ports and shipping would supervise the body's working. While PQA Chairman Agha Jan Akhtar was not available to confirm Badshah's claims, a statement issued by the ministry quoted Minister Michael as having told a Workers Convention at Port Qasim that a committee of Port Qasim and Ministry would be constituted to "look into all issues related to them".
He "assured them that their rights remain protected in the wake of all the developments taking place at the Port Qasim". The statement further said the minister intervened to end the 26-day strike. It said that the PQA dock labour were not the employees of Port Qasim but they contributed a lot in the establishment and bringing of the Port Qasim to the stage that it became the second port of Karachi.
Declaring that the bulk coal terminal would be completed in December this year, he said work on 1360 MW power plant was speedily in progress at Port Qasim. "All this has become possible through the sincere efforts of workers," he said. He lauded the efforts of PQA workforce saying that resulted in increasing the cargo handling activities and also announced a bonus for them.