Labour dispute in Port sector

Employees of the Cargo Handling Corporation have launched a labour dispute against their employer and the case has been handed over to the Commission for Conciliation and Mediation Mr Ashok Subron, spokesperson for the Port Louis Maritime Employees Association (PLMEA), said yesterday the Cargo Handling Corporation has refused to negotiate with the trade union on working conditions. 

If the commission is unable to come up with a solution within the agreed legal deadline of 30 days, the employees may consider a strike in the Port or rather escalate the dispute to the Employment Rights Tribunal. 

Mr Subron claimed workers in the Port are victims of discrimination and have to abide by dictatorial regulations. “It is a very serious issue when the management of a para-public body is acting in such a way. 

The government is allowing a ‘mafia’ to do whatever they please within one of the most important sectors of Mauritian society, which is the port.” 

He added that the employees have been “working very hard” and exceeding expectations “which is reflected in the very good performance of the Mauritian Port which was ranked in 82nd place last year on the Logistics Performance Index worldwide, despite such drawbacks which employees have to face at their workplace. 

“The Mauritius Port was some years back ranked 132nd on the Logistics Performance Index. “The future of our Port depends also on the industrial relations within the Port which would automatically mean a much better performance,” Mr Subron added. 

He also claimked that the Cargo handling Corporation is deducting money directly from the personal accounts of its employees without asking them, which is against the law. 

“There are 153 workers who have submitted a common letter last week to contest the deductions which the employers have ordered. We will see to it that the matter is brought before the court.”