Former Gurkhas leave port posts

The Port of Dover currently employs about 400 staff in jobs

Six former Gurkhas have walked out of training at the Port of Dover following fears their presence might harm community relations.

Members of Unite are considering strike action over plans to transfer port workers to the private sector.

The board had started to train the former Gurkhas to moor ships as part of its contingency plans, but they walked out on Thursday afternoon.

There were fears there could be a backlash against serving soldiers.

Dhan Gurung, who was made the first Gurkha councillor in Britain in 2007, said the six former soldiers "did not want to do anything against the people of Britain".

Dover MP Gywn Prosser had said he feared relations with Gurkhas could be harmed if former soldiers were drafted in to keep the Port of Dover open in the event of industrial action.

Mr Prosser told BBC Radio Kent on Thursday morning: "The Gurkhas are held in great affection and great admiration.

"Imagine the reaction if these people we've come to cherish within our communities, who live in our communities, are seen marching into the Port of Dover to break a strike."

Mr Prosser said: "I'm sure the individuals who have been asked to do this work are not aware how sensitive and provocative this is."

Contingency plans

He also said he did not think they had been given adequate training and had reported the matter to the Health and safety Executive.

A spokesman for the Port of Dover confirmed that the six former Gurkha soldiers being trained to moor ships as part of its contingency plans to keep the harbour open had walked out.

Nearly 200 workers at the Port of Dover are to be transferred to the private sector under restructuring plans.

From January, commercial contractors will run many of the port operations such as mooring and tug boat work and security services, affecting 190 jobs.

The Port of Dover said the restructuring was needed ahead of the construction of a second terminal.

The harbour board said service operations at the port needed to be opened up to competition, in line with European Commission objectives, before a second terminal was built.

The Dover Harbour Board wants to turn the former Hoverport at the Western Docks into a second ferry terminal with a new marina and four new berths.

The board said a second terminal would help create 1,000 new jobs locally and ease traffic problems.

The result of the strike ballot is expected to be announced next week.