India’s labour unions, representing dockworkers employed at major ports, have announced an indefinite nationwide industrial action starting on April 19.

The ports that are likely to be affected by the strike are Kolkata, Paradip, Visakhapatnam, Chennai, Tuticorin, Cochin, New Mangalore, Mumbai, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), Kandla and Marmugao.

The strike is targeting changes proposed in the Major Ports Authority Bill 2016 aimed at restructuring the country’s port system.

The workers are demanding job security in addition to protection of existing and retirement benefits.

The bill is aimed at reorienting the governance model in central ports to landlord port model. The new bill also allows leasing of land for port related use for up to 40 years.