Paradip: Movement of cargo and other shipping activities came to a grinding halt at Paradip Port on Wednesday due to a cease-work strike by different stevedore firms.
Loading and unloading of cargo from as many as 14 ships got affected following the strike.
The helpers working in the Orissa Stevedores Limited (OSL) have been demanding operator status for them and hike in salary.
Though a meeting was held with the port authorities over the demands, it failed to yield any result, forcing the workers to resort to agitation.
A similar strike was observed by the stevedore firms on the port premises in January this year to press for their demands, including a minimum monthly salary of Rs 18,000 against eight-hour work per day and strict implementation of labour laws.