Customs officers intensify protest

Article by GC

CUSTOMS OFFICERS stepped up action to drive home their position to government today, halting some Customs operations while working at a snail’s pace in other areas.

The Customs officers are opposing attempts by the Barbados Revenue Authority (BRA) to introduce option forms for their transition to the BRA, without first fully ventilating the matter with their trade unions.

From early morning officers Customs and Excise Department on the Harbour Road were joined by their counterparts from the Bridgetown Port and a few others from the Warrens headquarters, in a protest stand-off outside the Harbour Road Offices.

The few containers seen being hauled out of the Bridgetown Port were evidence of the go-slow on the two cargo sheds there.

There was similar action at the Grantley Adams International Airport. Except for the few Customs Officers who remained to ensure that people arriving for the Cropover Festival were not disadvantaged as a result of the industrial action, the majority were off the job. (GC)