Dear Shri Vajpayeeji

As you are aware the Joint Bipartite Wage Negotiations have been stalled due to the government of India going back from their earlier directive that the wage settlement should be for a period of five years. This directive was unilaterally changed for 10 years later on which have all the workers restive.

The five federations had to go in strike from 18th January 200o in which the demand for settlement for a period of 5 years was also included. During the course of discussion the minister of Surface Transport agreed to settle the matter before the end of March, 2000.

Another demand was concerning the payment of House Rent Allowance from the date of commencement of agreement. The minister of Surface Transport agreed to settle this issue also before the end of March 2000.

We deeply regret to inform you that the matters have not yet been settled so far, causing strong resentment among the port & dock workers all over the country.

If the issue are not settled at an early date the five federations of the port & dock workers will be left with no other alternative but to re-launch the nationwide dock strike to press for these demands.

We therefore seek your intervention so that the matters are settled amicably without any delay.