Now port workers ducking containers

This was indicated by the union’s general secretary, Ross Alexander, after the publication of an exclusive Newsday report of problems with containers of feathers on the port yesterday. A container of feathers which was consigned to Jimmy Aboud remains untouched on the port. The container originated in China. The feathers were meant to be used by bandleaders to design costumes for next year’s Carnival.

Since the scare brought about by the spread of the dreaded "bird flu" however, port workers have been told to adopt a "hands-off" attitude.

Already, bird flu (also called Avian Flu) is reported to have had some disastrous effects on the poultry industry in Asia. Several people have also been killed.

Alexander said union members will not necessarily handle containers that are consigned to a single importer.

"But we will be reluctant to have our members operate on any container opened on the port unless a full investigation is carried out by the Ministry of Health, given the fact that the "bird flu" strain is contagious. He suggested that every importer should be made to take the necessary precautions through the Ministry of Health before a container is shipped to the country.