The ministry of shipping and waterways ordered the Cochin Port Authority (CPA) to address the complaint against the appointment of a port welfare officer amid the protests started by some Cochin Port employees. Organizations representing the workers claimed that the appointment was illegal.

In 2016, C P Rajeeve was named welfare officer, and in 2023, he was elevated to senior welfare officer. According to a press release from the Cochin Port Employees Sangh (BMS), an investigation conducted by the Cochin Port chief vigilance officer in response to a directive from the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) revealed that the appointment was made against a written directive from the central government that forbade such appointments.

Employee Sangh President K K Vijayakumar stated, “The union had to approach the CVC and the ministry of shipping because no action was taken despite numerous complaints to the port authority chairman.”