Premier Denies Reports of Planned Customs Protest, Emphasizes Productive Meeting

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley has strongly refuted recent reports claiming that officers of His Majesty’s Customs were planning to engage in protest actions this morning July 19, 2023.

Premier Wheatley emphasized that during a meeting with the ranks of the department, it was made clear that no industrial action was planned.

In an interview with JTV, Premier Wheatley stated, “News reports suggesting that Customs was planning a strike this morning are false. I, along with the Deputy Governor, the Financial Secretary, and members of the Customs department, held a meeting to discuss various areas of concern. The spokesperson for the group explicitly stated that no industrial action was planned. The purpose of the meeting was to provide a platform for the officers to express their concerns and receive feedback. It was a productive session, and several action items were committed to in order to address these concerns.”

However, despite the Premier’s statement, some officers maintain their position and assert that they were prepared to engage in a sick-out protest. When contacted by JTV for further verification, these officers reiterated their earlier stance.

The situation remains fluid, and it is evident that there are differing views among the Customs officers. The government is actively engaged in addressing the concerns raised by the officers, and efforts are being made to ensure open lines of communication and a resolution to the issues at hand.

Further updates will be provided as the situation unfolds.