industrial action continues to affect the Canawaima Ferry Service between Moleson Creek in Guyana and South Drain in the neighbouring country
By Wendella Davidson
THE industrial action taken by Customs Officers in Suriname is continuing to affect the Canawaima Ferry Service between Moleson Creek in Guyana and South Drain in the neighbouring country.

The protest, in its second week, is aimed at pressuring the Surinamese Government to halt implementation of a new, highly controversial payment scheme.

The Government and several unions representing public servants, including Customs personnel, are at loggerheads over the system which was introduced last month.

The unions want it postponed until all the surrounding issues have been resolved and the strike has been extended to Surinamexs main port, Nieuwe Haven, which is running out of space to stack incoming containers while the Government loses millions of Guilders in import duties.

The stoppage is beginning to affect import and export revenue and concerns are being raised about an imminent shortage of some commodities.

Meanwhile, owners of businesses which have also suffered loss are contemplating hauling the striking Customs staffers before the Court.

Guyana Director/Secretary of the Ferry Service, Mr. Ronald Charles told the Guyana Chronicle yesterday that, since April 23, when the Customs Officers at South Drain struck, it has been operating on an ad hoc basis, through negotiations with the strikers.

As a result, the ferry sailed on four occasions, that same day to facilitate the travel of the Inter-Guianas Games (IGG) contingent to Guyana; April 25 to allow for a Guyanese delegation, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to meet with their counterparts in Nickerie; April 27 to accommodate the return of the IGG athletes and officials and the Guyana Foreign Affairs Ministry functionaries and April 30, for Suriname Ambassador, Ms. Manorma Soeknandan to come back to Guyana.

Charles said, from reports he received, on the first three occasions all the Customs Officers resumed duty but made it clear that their working then should not be viewed as breaking ranks with the strikers but was merely out of compassion.

VOLUNTEERED
He said, on April 30, only the Customs Chief volunteered his services and he alone was on the job.

However, all four times, persons who were on hand to travel from either side were also facilitated.

Charles said it was reported to him that the same top official continued to volunteer for yesterday and will continue, today and tomorrow.

The Director/Secretary said, as a consequence of the unfolding developments, authorities on the Guyana side have notified the travelling public that the service will be inoperable.

xWe have had several persons turning up to travel to Suriname with their vehicles but we have had to advise them against travelling because of the uncertainty. We do not want people to go over to Suriname with no guarantee as to who would return,x Charles explained.

He said the strike also caused the postponement of a Canawaima Management Company meeting that was scheduled for last Thursday in Nickerie.

Meantime, a member of Suriname Parliament, Mr. Guno Castelen and several other legislators called on the Government and unions to seek a resolution sooner than later.

Castelen, also a member of the port management, said the facility, which is due to be rehabilitated, is almost at full to capacity with cargo containers and, if the standoff continues, they would have no alternative but to redirect incoming ships.

But the business community is against such a move, on the ground that it will not only result in more revenue loss to the Government but increase expenditure for importers to get their merchandise in the country.

It was also learnt that leaders of the Confederation of Public Servant Unions (COL) have claimed that talks over the weekend, with a mediator appointed by President Ronald Venetiaan, failed to secure the desired breakthrough.

Owners are now being advised to register their losses with the Surinamese Business Organisation (VSB) so it can file a lawsuit against the Customs Officers.

High school teachers also downed tools two weeks ago and Mr. Wilgo Valies, Chairman of the Teacher’s Union (BvL) and Co-President of COL, has said the strikers found no reason to return to the classrooms while the Government is reluctant to meet their demands over pay.

Prior to this latest halt, Canawaima Ferry Service was forced to cease operations on two occasions in January, as a result of adverse weather conditions and the impassable nature of the road to South Drain.

The approximately 40 kilometres route is vital to the crossing between the two countries and contributes to the economic development of the western part of Suriname.

The roadway, which meanders through a farming area, is being upgraded to fair weather status with a 13.3 million Euros from the European Union and is slated for completion later this year, leading not only increased movement of people and goods but bolstering tourism, trade and opportunities to strengthen bilateral cooperation, Suriname officials said.