Exorbitant demands by port workers

The Freeport is on the brink of industrial action after port workers members of the GWU yesterday threatened to strike over demands, which were described as ‘astounding’ by the corporation. Amongst others, the port workers are asking for an annual income of Lm14,500 each.

In a statement issued yesterday, the Freeport said that the GWU wanted to dump an agreement over rates which was signed in October last year. The company said that the port workers have changed their mind and are now refusing to honour the accord.

The accord signed on October 10 last year established the rates for the 400 port workers whose jobs include driving trucks, handling twistlocks and lashings at the facility. Apart from the exorbitant annual demand, the GWU is asking for an additional payment for handling lashings.

The Freeport said that in a bid to avoid a stoppage it has asked the Director of Labour and Industrial Relations, Frank Pullicino, to mediate between the two parties immediately. The soon-to-be-privatised corporation said that a stoppage would hurt clients and ‘seriously impair the company’s international reputation’.