Shippers condemn corrupt trade union action at Customs

From left: Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council Chairman Sean Van Dort, Joint Apparel Association Forum Sri Lanka Secretary General Yohan Lawrence and Rohan Masakorala of Hub Operators Association

By Darshana Abayasingha

Before the go slow at the Department of Customs was called off, several trade and industrial bodies came together led by the Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council to condemn the strike action, and remarked it was grossly immoral for officials of the department to hold the people of the country and industries at ransom. Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council Chairman Sean Van Dort expressed his grave displeasure at the trade union action, and noted demurrage and other costs incurred by traders would ultimately be borne by consumers and would ultimately impact the cost of living and investor confidence in Sri Lanka.

“They are taking action to secure their benefits, not pay. Why cannot we go digital like every other nation and eradicate corruption. During COVID-19 pandemic, Customs Officials didn’t want to come anywhere near the port, and they worked remotely. Why are they against technology now? The department should solve whatever issues they have with the Government and not inconvenience the people and business. The Government, Port Authority or shipping lines are not going to allay costs because of this action,” Van Dort stated.  

Echoing the call of the Council was the Joint Apparel Associations Forum (JAAF) with Secretary General Yohan Lawrence, who noted the go slow doesn’t only impact imports as made out by some and that instead it impacts production and export of goods. He pointed out that Sri Lanka’s largest export industry, apparels, relied on a degree of imports for production so this would naturally impact delivery.

“Some of the larger players may have stocks in place, and this action mostly impacts the small and medium players. Please refrain from such action, and we hope you will look at other avenues to negotiate this matter. This impacts the entire export sector, not just apparel,” Lawrence said. 

The Sri Lanka Hub Operators Association President Rohan Masakorala said the striking Customs Officials deliberately chose Thursday and Friday for their action as this would create a substantial backlog that would become difficult to clear. 

“Millions will be lost and incurred as demurrage, and it is the poor consumer who has to pay in the end. What they are doing is hurting the export and import industry. The requirement is to modernise the way we work. They want to keep things as is, so that helps them achieve their vested ends. No Government can move ahead in this manner no matter what party is in power. We will support any administration to move ahead with digitalisation to enhance efficiency and fight corruption,” Masakorala said.

Commenting on the decision to end the strike, the associations said they welcomed the decision and stated the department must take note that all trade and industries were united in one voice against the action. All associations stressed on the need to adopt paperless systems to defeat corruption and enhance efficiency.

Van Dort previously said the Shippers Council was ready to name officers who deliberately slow down clearance. “No one spoke against them because everyone was scared. Traders were more interested in clearing their goods. We can never develop if we don’t change the way we work. The electronic system worked very well during COVID-19, why can’t they do it now? Customs can make or break this country, there are good people in the department so we hope they will come to the fore.”