(Trinidad Guardian) Six scrap iron workers have been arrested overnight, as vanloads of protesters used the cover of darkness to block parts of Claxton Bay and environs.
A heavy contingent of army and police remains stationed in the area following four days of protests, which spilt onto the busy Solomon Hochoy Highway, inconveniencing hundreds of people.
The protests are occurring during the visit of Guyanese President Dr Irfaan Ali, who is in Trinidad on an official State visit. There are 107 scrap iron dealers in Claxton Bay who own vehicles that collect old metal including copper from across the country.
Pointe-a-Pierre MP David Lee says this accounts for 50 per cent of all scrap metal exports in Trinidad.
The scrap ironworkers have set up a permanent base at Cedar Hill Road, Claxton Bay, erecting a small tent under a coconut tree and a sign reading “Free Ironmen.”
Guardian Media understands pensioners who do not have cell-phones but depend on their landlines to call relatives and even ambulances have been suffering because of the theft.
The government has appointed a Cabinet sub-Committee to oversee a legislative framework for the scrap iron industry.
On Tuesday, Minister of Trade and Industry Paula Gopee-Scoon, who is on the Cabinet sub-committee, said there was a need for improved legislation to regulate the irregularities of the industry.
Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal also said on Monday that the government’s arbitrary shutdown of the scrap iron sector is senseless and unacceptable and would only lead to an increase in unemployment and possibly a hike in the crime rate.
