According to The Loadstar, the Hong Kong Shippers’ Council has advised members to arrange alternative shipping routes as demonstrations at Hong Kong International Terminals’ (HIT) Kwai Tsing port entered into the seventh day.
The council, which represents importers, exporters and manufacturers, has directed members towards nearby ports in China, including Shenzhen, while the strike continues.
But, the trustee manager at the port says the current dispute has not had an effect on the performance of HPH Trust and is continuing to work towards resolving the actions.
This follows a temporary injunction from the High Court of Hong Kong (HKHC) on April 1, 2013 which temporarily banned the port workers of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) from HIT’s terminal premises.
Paddy Crumlin, president and dockers’ section chair, ITF, said: “This dispute has reached a critical stage. The ITF is calling on HIT and on the HPH Trust, to put health and safety, decent working conditions and respect for union rights first.”
HIT says it will be returning to the HKHC on Friday 5 April 2013 for an order to extend the injunction.
Since the beginning of the strike on 28 March 2013, the ITF has been calling on HIT to put an end to its subcontractors’ exploitation of outsourced dockers who are earning less for working longer, and to discuss the reinstatement of the hourly overtime rate for contracted dockers.
This content was provided in partnership with The Loadstar.