Mayaro MP Rushton Paray is urging government to engage in meaningful dialogue with the Port workers’ union, SWWTU.

The Port Authority says it is experiencing an interruption to all areas of operations due to an “unplanned absence of the full complement of labour.”

MP Paray believes there has been a refusal by government to address pressing labour issues raised by the SWWTU, which resulted in significant delays at the Port.

These issues, he says, includes a 12% wage increase, promotions for long-serving workers, and the reversal of changes made without consulting the union.

MP Paray warns that the situation at the Port threatens to have a detrimental impact on the retail sector during the Christmas season.