No resolution to port industrial action

Port-of-Spain: No word yet on whether the Port Authority and the Seamen and Waterfront Workers Trade Union are any closer to an agreement to end industrial action by port workers but the business community remains disappointed that a resolution is taking so long in coming.

Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce Katherine Kumar says the business community has suffered a double whammy fresh from their losses out of the State of Emergency, they are again losing big bucks because of the industrial action.

She says they were optimistic that  things would have got better for Christmas.

While business is yet to quantify its losses as a result of the industrial action at the  port, Kumar expects there will be significant financial fallout.  

The union and the Port Authority are  yet to sign off on an agreement butKumar says with just days to go before Christmas, there's no way the business community would be able to maximize profits on their seasonal stock.

Meantime Trade and Industry Minister Stephen Cadiz says that problems on the port will negatively impact on the country's trade.

He says the clearing of containers has not only affected citizens but also impacted on government projects.

Both Kumar and Minister Cadiz are urging a speedy end to the negotiation process.