(Trinidad Express) Industrial action at the Port of Port of Spain left several departments at a standstill on Saturday. In a statement the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago said the cargo handling facility, vessel and delivery operations came to a “virtual halt”.
“The industrial action appears to be in consonance with similar actions taken by other unions across the country,” the unsigned statement said.
“The Authority wishes to advise its many customers that every effort is being made to resolve the situation in the shortest possible time,” it added.
The Port requested “tolerance and support” as the trade union representing workers and management tried to find a solution.
The Authority said it will also keep the public updated with information as the situation unfolds.
The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) on Saturday called on Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissesar to intervene to resolve the issue of congestion at the port.
The TTMA described the situation was an undeclared “State of Emergency” and demanded that the government take immediate action “to deal with the issues which add inefficiency and costs in the importation of manufacturing inputs and the export of finished goods”.
“These issues have been identified tim and time again by the TTMA and other private sector organizations,” the business group stated. “While the intervention of the Ministers of Finance, Trade and Industry have produced a little temporary relief, it is insufficient.”
The TTMA added that while the government focuses elsewhere, the high level of port congestion is now leading to incoming vessels having difficulty getting a berth.
