GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC—The Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) has expressed concern regarding the ongoing industrial action at the Port of Spain port in Trinidad and Tobago, saying it has severely disrupted regional trade and impacted businesses in Guyana.
In a statement, the GMSA said that the industrial action over salary increases has been persisting for over two months, causing significant delays in the clearance of containers carrying raw materials and time-sensitive goods.
“As a result, manufacturers and businesses in Guyana incur substantial financial losses, particularly during this critical Christmas season when import volumes are significantly higher.
“These delays have also contributed to price increases for consumer goods, including necessities, as businesses are forced to navigate higher costs associated with supply chain disruptions,” the GMSA said.
Last month, the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (PATT) said it never wanted to “take this action” as the Industrial Court ordered port workers, who had been protesting the payment of a 12 percent wage hike agreed upon in 2015, back to their jobs.
“Prolonged disruptions at the port threaten businesses, with several Chambers of Commerce and enterprises voicing concerns about impacts on sales and operations,” PATT chairman Lyle Alexander said in a statement.
The Industrial Court granted an interim ex parte injunction ending, at least for now, the industrial action taken by the workers to support the demands of the Seamen and Waterfront Workers Trade Union (SWWTU) to pay the wage increase.
The matter is expected to be heard on December 6, when the union will present its case. Still, SWWTU president general Michael Annisette criticized PATT’s decision to seek the injunction, adding that the situation could have been resolved through dialogue rather than resorting to legal action.
The GMSA said that Trinidad and Tobago plays a crucial role as a transshipment hub for the Caribbean, facilitating the movement of goods to Guyana and other Caribbean countries. It noted that prolonged disruptions at its ports are jeopardizing regional supply chains, with dire implications for businesses and consumers alike.
The GMSA called on the Guyana government to work with its counterparts to intervene urgently and facilitate a resolution to the impasse.
It also urged the parties to the industrial dispute in Trinidad and Tobago to prioritise dialogue and collaboration to swiftly restore operations.
“The GMSA implores the authorities to recognize the broader regional impact of these disruptions and to take decisive steps toward restoring normalcy at the port of Port-of-Spain. A swift resolution is essential to safeguarding the economic interests of both Trinidad and Tobago and its trading partners across the Caribbean,” the GMSA added.
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