Gangavaram Port hopes to end staff protests with concessions

Visakhapatnam Gangavaram Port on Wednesday said it held a sadbhavana meeting at the port premises between the management and the employees in the presence of 30 representatives from the R&R employees and reiterated that they are always open to resolve the issues as family members and appealed to the employees to resume their duties and continue the dialogues for early and peaceful resolution. The company stated in a release referring to protests by a section of workers that the management is ready to consider the suggestions and pay ex-gratia for this year, subject to the fact that employees resume their duties immediately and maintain peace in the port premises for next three months.

The management also agreed to permit 25 employees to do their duties unconditionally and advised the workers to submit explanations for four suspended employees. The management stated it is keen to review the same and take all necessary steps to reinstate them.

Giving clarity on the issue of GPL (Gangavaram Port Limited) and GPS (Gangavaram Port Services) variation, the management said that henceforth, GPS will be referred to as a “subsidiary company of Adani” in their ID cards, to avoid the confusion in the minds of employees. All adequate benefits will be extended to the GPS employees as per HR policies, the release pointed out.

Management also clarified to employees that as per insurance policy, compensation will be extended to the accidents happening inside the port.

Management categorically expressed that After Port was taken over in the month of October, 2022, the Gangavaram Management has given a one-time salary fitment to all employees apart from regular annual increment and also given some more increase by considering the skill upgradation. Similarly, in the upcoming years, salary increases will be taken care of positively.

Management is committed for skill upgradation of the employees and will be taking on regular skill development programs for all employees as per their criteria and need for development. The port HR department is already conducting such programs irrespectively, the company said.

Management reiterated that they would continue their support for development of school education in the vicinity villages through CSR programme.