Port workers in Tobago embarked on protest action yesterday, citing health and safety concerns.
Kerlon Thom, vice-chairman of the Seamen and Waterfront Workers Trade Union (SWWTU), who spoke with the Express outside the Scarborough port yesterday, said workers have reached their breaking point.
“The workers reach a point where they are fed up. It has several dogs, and health and safety issues management refused to address. We asking for the line ministers to come and address the situation. The roof leaking and all they want is work, work, work,” Thom said.
He said, in addition to a number of health and safety concerns, a number of dogs and fowls have invaded the compound of the Scarborough port.
“We don’t have a proper lunch room. We have rats running about the place. We have nowhere for ramp operators to shelter when rain falls, and a lack of proper equipment.”
SWWTU’s shop steward Felton Cox, who also spoke with the Express, said there are also warehouse concerns on the port, in addition to the emergency bell on the compound not being operational.
“There is heat at the warehouse because there is no proper ventilation; the air-condition in the warehouse is pushing a lot of heat. There is also issue in the yard, it is not being cleaned. Animal faeces on the compound and the Cabo Star is not being cleaned properly. Even the emergency bell is not functioning,” Cox said.
Thom said workers do not want empty promises from management in going forward.
“What we are asking for is management to meet with the union, and the ministers to meet with the union to be able to address these situations here. We want to see action take place for workers to feel safe,” he said.
When asked to comment on the issues, Trinidad and Tobago Port Authority chairman Lyle Alexander said there is a correlation between the protest action by port workers in Trinidad and the one taking place in Tobago, and as far as he is aware, there are no new health and safety issues to be addressed.
“There is a relationship to what is taking place in Trinidad and what is taking place in Tobago. The same reasons are used for the protest action in Trinidad. In addition, the excuses they are using for their actions, I am not aware that the discussions they would have had with management that there were any outstanding issues coming out of that. The issue of health and safety are issues that would come up from time to time. The issues that they are claiming now, I am not aware those are outstanding issues,” Alexander said.