Paradip: The cargo-handling operation was adversely affected in Paradip Port Trust on Wednesday following the strike call given by a confederation of stevedore workers.

Both mechanised and manual cargo-handling operations was affected with the workers staying away from daily work and squatting in front of the entrance to the port.

Forty stevedore agencies are on the cargo-handling job here. Altogether 2,500 skilled workers are engaged by these agencies.

"The workers are grossly underpaid. Besides, they are being coercively engaged to work for 10 hours a day in violation of the labour law," said Abhaya Sahu, who led the confederation.

"The striking workers were demanding eight-hour daily work schedule. Besides, Rs 18,000 minimum monthly pay package was also sought for by them," said labour enforcement officer Sishir Kumar Sethy.

The charter of workers' demands was discussed with the Paradip Port Stevedores' Association, which has consented in writing to fulfil the demands raised by the striking workers. If the stevedore agencies fail to keep up the commitment, the labour-enforcing agencies will initiate action against them in accordance with labour laws, Sethy said.

"Tight security measures were initiated in view of the strike call. No untoward incident was reported during the agitation," said Paradip additional superintendent of police Bishnu Charan Mishra.

Twelve vessels were berthed at the port for loading and unloading of cargo. However, the cargo-handling operation could not be taken up following the strike. However, it resumed in the afternoon hours as the striking workers withdrew their agitation and reported from stevedoring duty, said a port official.