PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) is warning consumers to be prepared for at least a one-month delay in retrieving goods from the Port of Port-of-Spain following industrial action by workers there.
Port of Port of Spain (File Photo)“At this time, there are no current container vessel operations and no container terminal operations for the receipt and delivery of containers, a dire situation for manufacturers and traders,” the TTMA said in a statement.
Last week, port workers walked off the job in protest over a range of issues, including health and safety concerns and stalled wage negotiations. Earlier this year, the estimated 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.
In its statement, the TTMA said that the disruptions have left manufacturers, exporters and traders frustrated over the expected two-to-three-week delays because of workers engaging in “sick-out” action.
It warned that if the situation is not addressed, it will lead to increased prices going into the Christmas and Carnival seasons.
“TTMA is asking for intervention by the relevant authorities, including senior port managers and the Government, to intervene and have the matter resolved in a timely manner, as well as consider the waiving of port rent and demurrage incurred by affected businesses,” it added.
