Businessmen are losing about $4 million a day because of a continuing standoff between union and management at the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago.
The Express newspaper reported Monday that businessmen are waiting to clear more than 4,000 containers. It quoted the head of the Downtown Owners and Merchants Association (DOMA) as saying the situation is a hostile attack on the business community.
The Express newspaper reported Monday that businessmen are waiting to clear more than 4,000 containers. It quoted the head of the Downtown Owners and Merchants Association (DOMA) as saying the situation is a hostile attack on the business community.
Gregory Aboud told the paper, "It is an understatement to say that this situation is a catastrophe."
Aboud explained that the charge for each stalled container is about $1,000 a day, which amounts to an immediate loss of about $4 million every day the containers remain parked.
And the delay further aggravates the situation because good that need to be sold during the Christmas season are held up.
Aboud told the Express the situation would create more disharmony between business and unions.
"It will create a further separation between all the parties and especially among those in the business community who are made to suffer at this crucial time," he said.
"We have travelled far and carried the heavy burden of the inefficiencies and unreliability of the Port operations. It is time for us to think of a solution. When there are big problems, we need big solutions," he added.
Michael Annisette, head of the SWWTU, told the paper he has been preventing action by port workers for over 40 months. However he said on Friday workers told him they would stop working.
"Negotiations broke down, but I have spoken to the Minister of Transport and he intervened," Annisette said. He added that he expects workers to be back on the job Monday.
Aboud explained that the charge for each stalled container is about $1,000 a day, which amounts to an immediate loss of about $4 million every day the containers remain parked.
And the delay further aggravates the situation because good that need to be sold during the Christmas season are held up.
Aboud told the Express the situation would create more disharmony between business and unions.
"It will create a further separation between all the parties and especially among those in the business community who are made to suffer at this crucial time," he said.
"We have travelled far and carried the heavy burden of the inefficiencies and unreliability of the Port operations. It is time for us to think of a solution. When there are big problems, we need big solutions," he added.
Michael Annisette, head of the SWWTU, told the paper he has been preventing action by port workers for over 40 months. However he said on Friday workers told him they would stop working.
"Negotiations broke down, but I have spoken to the Minister of Transport and he intervened," Annisette said. He added that he expects workers to be back on the job Monday.
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