‘Act Now’ On Indian Violence

Møller-Maersk Told ‘Act Now’ On Indian Violence

Global union federation the ITF has put shipping and port giant Møller-Maersk on notice that it has to get rid of one of its contractors which has allegedly repeatedly attacked port drivers in Mumbai, India. Despite intense negotiations between the ITF and the Danish company to settle the issue since the first attacks took place in 2007, further violent assaults are alleged to have been perpetrated last month.

As a result the ITF, backed by Indian trade unions, is demanding that the company do the only responsible thing and sever all relations with the contractor, SC Thakur, which it believes ordered the bloody beatings two years ago and is believed to be behind the latest attacks on October 23rd 2009, when three members of the TDWU (Transport and Dock Workers’ Union) say they were beaten by Thakur supervisors who forced their way into their homes – one of the assaults was carried out in front of the man’s wife and children. The victims had all made court depositions regarding the company’s failure to pay their provident fund (social security/pension) contributions. They were also told to leave the union. As with previous attacks, reports (with accompanying photos of injuries) have been made to the police, to Thakur and to Maersk subsidiary GTI (Gateway Terminals India). The ITF has made it clear that it believes there can be no excuse after two years for a multinational of Maersk’s size and reach not to have assured its workers, including subcontracted workers, basic rights and protection from violence.

The situation first erupted in April 2007 when four drivers employed by contractor SC Thakur were abducted and severely beaten. When other union members went on strike in support of the hospitalised colleagues they were sacked. Following dialogue between Maersk and the ITF the workers were reinstated, but the violence continued in a further incident, when Thakur thugs beat workers with hockey sticks and steel rods on a company bus to persuade them to join a ‘yellow’ (ie company-run) trade union. An ITF mission to the area compiled evidence of the attacks and intimidation, and handed this over to the company, police, and to local government, in which the Thakur family are involved. A Danish parliamentary delegation also met with the TDWU in March 2009 to discuss the situation. The ITF additionally commissioned an independent human rights report, which it made available to Maersk during negotiations that it was hoped would resolve the issue.

In January 2009 Maersk recognised that the drivers had the right to join an independent union and that the contractors should allow them union representation. The ITF has remained in dialogue with the company to bring this about.

Last month’s attack proves that immediate action is needed and the ITF is now telling the company that it has no alternative but to sever its links with SC Thakur. Should that not happen the ITF will take further appropriate action. It declined to speculate what form that action would take.

ITF assistant general secretary Stuart Howard said: “This latest bloody attack is doubly shocking given the efforts made since the first thuggish assaults two years ago. Since then we have sought to end this appalling situation with Maersk’s cooperation. The company has taken some measures to aid these workers and hinder the reported criminal behaviour of this contractor, but these clearly still fall short of what the workers on the ground want and need.”

“The ITF has credible evidence that the contractor abducted and assaulted workers for wanting to join the TDWU. Until they are allowed to do so at all four GTI contractors – as is their right – they feel unprotected. They have decided that the union is their best defence. Maersk has to deliver on that right. The first, unavoidable step they have to take is to show their disgust at what has been done by showing Thakur the door.”

He concluded: “This kind of violence is unacceptable. This company is a repeat offender. We will not wait for a fourth incident to happen. The company has to go, and go now.”

ENDS

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