Cargo worth about Rs250 crore is stuck at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, with nearly 700 workers refusing to work since Friday, citing poor work conditions.
Led by Vijay Chitre of the Shiv Sena-affiliated Bhartiya Kamgar Sena, the workers claim that lack of adequate infrastructure at the cargo section, which has been compounded by a new Customs notification, was making them slog for long hours and leaving them stressed.
"Seven people have lost their lives in past 3-4 months due to stress. We have brought it to the attention of airport operators, Customs, and others. However, all our pleas have fallen on deaf ears," said Chitre.
Under the new notification by Customs department, the prescribed load for manual lifting of cargo has been increased to 350 kg as against the earlier figure of 150 kg.
The protesters say manual handling of the additional load from the main entrance is eating up a lot of time. "It is not only inhuman but also violates international laws. Our demand is that cargos over 150 kg should be mechanically lifted from Gate no 4, which will also take very less time, as was done earlier," said a worker.
28/04/14 Shahkar Abidi/Daily News & Analysis
To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline
Led by Vijay Chitre of the Shiv Sena-affiliated Bhartiya Kamgar Sena, the workers claim that lack of adequate infrastructure at the cargo section, which has been compounded by a new Customs notification, was making them slog for long hours and leaving them stressed.
"Seven people have lost their lives in past 3-4 months due to stress. We have brought it to the attention of airport operators, Customs, and others. However, all our pleas have fallen on deaf ears," said Chitre.
Under the new notification by Customs department, the prescribed load for manual lifting of cargo has been increased to 350 kg as against the earlier figure of 150 kg.
The protesters say manual handling of the additional load from the main entrance is eating up a lot of time. "It is not only inhuman but also violates international laws. Our demand is that cargos over 150 kg should be mechanically lifted from Gate no 4, which will also take very less time, as was done earlier," said a worker.
28/04/14 Shahkar Abidi/Daily News & Analysis
