Incensed by protests last week, the Ministry of Labour has warned that it is prepared to take strong action should workers not resume duty at the Kingston Wharves today.

Yesterday, Labour Minister Pearnel Charles expressed outrage that the workers had not resumed duties last Friday when they were ordered back to work after the matter was sent to the Industrial Disputes Tribunal (IDT).

"The Government intends to take serious action if on Monday (today) there isn't a full resumption of work," he warned. "There are serious sanctions for anyone disobeying the tribunal order and the principals of an essential service."

Charles estimated that the closure of the Wharves has cost the country millions of dollars.

Protests began last Thursday after talks between the Ministry of Labour and the National Workers Union (NWU) failed to resolve a decision by the company to make the positions of 10 employees redundant.

Vice-president of the NWU, Granville Valentine, said all employees would resume work today, as indicated in the tribunal order.

Valentine contended that the union's understanding of the back-to-work order was that the workers made redundant would be reinstated while the talks were ongoing.

"Our concerns with the back-to-work order clearly indicates that all workers should return to work," he said.

Walk out

According to Valentine, if any worker is prevented access today there will be a walk out.

The Ministry of Labour has requested the IDT to meet tomorrow to clarify the order to the management and workers.

In the event that any worker is denied access to the port today, Charles has urged those workers whose jobs are in question to await clarification from the tribunal. He said such clarification should come by Tuesday.