KARACHI, Nov 20: A number of workers associated with the Dock Labour Board staged a protest demo at Merewether Tower on Monday against the government move to hand over the port work to a few shipping companies.

Holding banners and placards at the demonstration, organised by Dock Labour Board Bachao Tehreek, the protesters said port work was being handed over to a few firms which would render 4,000 workers jobless.

In their speeches, labour leaders Karim Khan, Khalilur Rehman, Hussain Badshah and Dawood Singhar said services of workers associated with the board for over 35 years were being terminated in favour of a few shipping companies.

They said anti-worker laws were being formulated and implemented in the organisation.

They urged workers to join hands in struggle for their rights.

They demanded that all facilities be restored and nobody should be sent on forced retirement.