geisha.kowlessar@guardian.co.tt
While issues which led to a shutdown at the port of Port-of-Spain seem to be rectified, one business chamber is still worried that some labour concerns still persist.
Industrial action by port workers two weeks ago resulted in a lengthy delay of goods to be cleared, much to the frustration of businessowners.
President of the Couva/Point Lisas Chamber, Deoraj Mahase, in an interview yesterday, said there have been complaints from his membership that labour issues still exist including health and safety matters.
“The labour issues are still unresolved, and we are hoping things can be closed off because we do not want another disruption coming at this time of the year, as we are into this high season of Christmas goods and Divali season. These things can have a huge negative impact on all the business communities,” he said.
However, president of the Downtown Owners and Merchants Association (DOMA) Gregory Aboud told Guardian Media that operations appeared normal for a second day.
“We are very happy to report and very thankful that for a second day this week the operations continue to be normal,” he said.
Aboud added that he remained hopeful this will continue for the rest of the week into the weeks ahead.
Moreso, he hoped for all disputes to be settled amicably.
“We are also hopeful that the parties will continue to have constructive dialogue in which they express understanding of each other’s positions and any of the grievances or disagreements will be resolved in the interest of the entire country. Because make no mistake about it, the operations of the port are crucial and critical to the smooth functioning of this entire economy,” he said.
Earlier this year, 1,000 workers walked off the job, giving port management seven days to address health and safety issues and agree to a 12 per cent wage increase.
The workers’ action mirrored strikes in the United States, where nearly 50,000 port workers launched a strike earlier this month, disrupting operations on the Eastern Seaboard and Gulf Coast ports.
President of the Seamen and Waterfront Workers Trade Union (SWWTU) Michael Annisette had said the industrial action could cost the port millions, potentially affecting over 80 per cent of its revenue.
“It will cause significant damage. The port generates most of its revenue from receiving, storing, and delivering cargo, and this operational department is now affected—unfortunately but understandably—due to the failure to deliver on promises made to the workers. I estimate that about 85 per cent of the port’s revenue, which could amount to millions of dollars, is at risk. However, we must not blame the workers; they are not at fault,” Annisette said.
