Stalemate to continue at ICTT

KOCHI: The stalemate over the container movement to and from the Vallarpadom International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) will continue, as the meeting convened by the Cochin Port Trust authorities with the agitating leaders of various trade unions at the ICTT, on Monday failed to reach a consensus. The trade union leaders decided to go ahead with the strike until the authorities of Port Trust and Dubai Port World (DP World), which runs the ICTT, take measures to ensure proper facilities for the workers of trailers.According to the union leaders, the DP World is not permitting the cleaners of the trailers to enter the terminal.  “We can’t allow the cattle-like treatment being meted out to the workers. The DP World should either allow entry for cleaners into the terminal or arrange proper rest rooms and other facilities inside the premises,” said Charles George, convenor of  Trade Union Coordination Committee.However, the Port Trust claimed the discussion with the trade union leaders was a success. Though the meeting failed to find a solution to the issues regarding the facilities for the trailer workers at the terminal, the trade union leaders and the authorities agreed on avoiding the delay in unloading the trailers. “We have agreed to the demand that the trailers should be unloaded within 45 minutes,” Charles said.