Till 2020 India’s Major Port Trusts were ruled under the MPT Act of 1963, where service conditions, worker’s pension, and worker’s wage division were given as per the old Act. But 2021, the Government replaced the Major port trust Act of 1963 and introduced the Major Port Authority Act of 2021. As per this MPA Act of 2021, the labour nominee provision has been changed to the appointment of labour nominee on the board. As per the recognised unions in India’s major port union, those who are availing of number 1 and number 2 membership in their respective ports union, have the right to nominate their representative on behalf of their union.

Taking this stupendous opportunity, Transport & Dock workers union, Mumbai Com Kishor Kotwal, President, and Com Kersi Parekh, General Secretary unanimously, in consultation with their seniors decided to nominate Mrs Kalpana Desai who has vast experience working under trade unions; as they felt that the labour law which is very beneficial to the workers and should be well protected. And the best person who understands the various challenges the workers face is none other than Mrs Desai. Her experience and dedication to the union have been clearly seen all through these years.

Today she has become the first woman Board Member (earlier –trustee) of Mumbai Port Authority (erstwhile Mumbai Port Trust); giving rise to Nari Shakthi across the nation.

To the honour pouring out from across the nation, an elated Mrs Desai humbly said, “I am here because of the union” at a small felicitation held at Mumbai Port Trust on 30^th June.

“I am so thankful to everyone for their blessings and continuous support. A special thanks to Bro. Kishor Kotwal & Bro Kersi Parekh for having their faith in me and nominating my name for board members of MbPA. They have created history not me because they have nominated my name to represent and protect the rights of workers/employees of MbPA. I am grateful to the officers of MbPA, my colleagues, friends, lovely sisters & Brothers of Unions, Federations, MbPA, HMS, ITF, ILO, and my family members for their continuous support and guidance.

I am fortunate that today we the four Generations my mother, son, granddaughter, husband, daughter in law are here to support me,” continued Mrs Desai.

The esteemed dignitaries present were  Mumbai Port Authority, Chairman Mr Rajeev  Jalota (IAS); and Mr Mohan Raju, Secretary; Mr B Chand, Dy Conservator & Mrs Priya Dabholkar, FA& CAO( I/C); Com SK Shetye, President; Com Sudhakar Apraj, Ex-trustee; Com Datta Kheshe, Board Member of MBPT; Gen & Dock Employees union; Com Amar Singh Thakur, Gen Secy, MUI; NUSI representatives Com JR Bhosale, President, WREU; Com Sanjay Wadhavkar, Gen Secy HMS Maharashtra; Com Rajendra Girl, HMS representative.

Ms Dagmar Walter, Director, International Labour Organisation (ILO) N Delhi country for India and DWT South Asia along with Mr Vaibhav Raj, Programmer, ILO especially came from Delhi to Mumbai to grace this occasion.

Mr Kersi Parekh, Gen Secy, TDWU, Mumbai while welcoming the honoured guests said “We are happy that serving employee has become our board member. Only serving employees can state the real condition of the port.”

Continuing further he informed that Like Com SR Kulkarni who worked for 55 years uninterrupted as trustee of Mumbai Port Trust. The board should take care of the workers as well as port; if port is developed then only workers will exist, if workers exist then only union will exist, if unions exist then only unions can conduct programs like this.

“Our request, Sis Kalpana Desai & Bro Datta Khare, newly appointed Labour representatives on the Board of MbPA, you both have to walk on the path of Com SR Kulkarni, Com Manohar Kotwal & Dr Shanti Patel and take care of Ports always. We believe that they will work for the betterment of the ports,” expressed Mr Parekh.

Complimenting the union on the bond it has with the family members, Mr Rajeev Jalota (IAS) Chairman, MbPA said, “I have good relation with many unions, but I have constructive and cooperative attitude relation with your union. This is the first time I am seeing that family members of the labour class are friendly with each other.”

In working positively with the union, Mr Jalota articulated that the unions always voice their opinions and rectify the mistakes of the Board.

“Our challenging times are here because our cargoes are reducing and we have to take care of the pension and gratuity, so the future of all the employees will be secured,” accentuated Mr Jalota.

On the port history, Mr Mohan Raju, Secretary MbPA mentioned that in 150 years of Mumbai Port History, this is the first time a woman leader in Mumbai port has been appointed on the board. Thus, adding more glory to the history of women. “This also shows the good HR aspects, the working condition in Mumbai port, people are given so much of freedom to flourish to develop their skills to develop their knowledge and to reach the higher class in the union. We hope with Mrs Desai’s experience Mumbai port will immensely benefit, I personally congratulate her on her success in coming years,” expressed Mr Raju.

Expressing her gratitude, Ms Dagmar Walter, Director ILO country for INDIA & DWT South Asia N.Delhi Office said, “I feel very humble, and it’s a pleasure to be here today. To be recognised and honoured by Mrs Desai, who has been elected onto the Port’s Board as a worker’s representative. It is a great pleasure and honour to share this moment.”

Giving a brief background about the functions of ILO, Ms Walter mentioned that ILO has been focussing on gender equality and women’s rights; right from the start, of course conventions are there in terms of especially privileges and there are several conventions about maternity benefits, domestic workers, and working time. Our very recent convention 119, speaks about violence and harassment in the workplace. “So in fact, doing a lot for rising awareness needed to be done. One thing that is extremely important and what I like is being in India and India developing so much and common engagement, like gender, that we can rise women’s participation in the workforce,” she added.

“I wish you strength, I think you are the great representative of everyone here. And that can only encourage you to really look at what you can achieve. I look forward to coming back here. I got so inspired. Congratulations to all of you and I am humbled by being here,” Ms Walter concluded.

Marex Media