Mechanised fishing boats anchored at Thoothukudi fishing harbour after announcement of strike.
| Photo Credit: N. RAJESH
Mechanised boat owners and workers in Thoothukudi have announced an indefinite strike from Monday against the Fisheries Department for failing to approve an alternative livelihood.
More than 260 mechanised boats operate from Thoothukudi fishing harbour, with 135 venturing into sea daily on a rotational basis.
A notice issued by the Association of Mechanised Boat Owners and Workers states that the strike is being held in protest against the fisheries officials for failing to approve an alternative livelihood for boat owners and workers. It also condemns the authorities for not implementing the recommendations made under the leadership of former Collector K. Senthil Raj, which involved revenue, fisheries and police departments.
Xavier Vaz from Thoothukudi Mechanised Boat Owners Association said the officials were not implementing any of the recommendations made by the former Collector. For a long time, the fishermen had been requesting for a single night stay fishing and officials were yet to come up with a solution for that. As a result, the association had decided not to venture into the sea for fishing and a continuous strike would be carried out.
Published – February 09, 2025 08:48 pm IST