WILLEMSTAD - The Customs Department announced a temporary suspension of its operations on Tuesday morning as the staff congregated for a crucial meeting held at the labor union headquarters.
The customs officers are seeking clarity on a range of issues that have sparked significant concerns within their ranks, most notably related to the Customs Decree and promotion protocols. Members of the customs team are earnestly seeking clarification from Minister Javier Silvania of the Finance Ministry regarding the precise details of promotions that have been executed or are currently underway.
According to statements from the Abvo union, the customs staff has been left in the dark with no official communication on the aforementioned matters. Allegedly, the minister has only disseminated this information through social media channels. "This type of information shouldn't be shrouded in secrecy," expressed Abvo. Additionally, customs officers have voiced frustration over the insufficient communication links between various customs posts.
A proactive group of customs officers had already assembled at the Abvo building on Monday morning to articulate their apprehensions. They are scheduled to reconvene on Tuesday morning to further deliberate on their arguments and concerns. Subsequently, a meeting with the customs department's management team is scheduled for later in the morning. Participation from members of the STrAF labor union is also anticipated.