Customs officers in Dominica are on their second day of protest following what they describe as a “physical assault on one of their officers by a top security official.”
On July 19, 2023, the customs officers started their protest action but that lasted for a few hours as they returned to work during the afternoon.
They reported to work on July 20, 2023, but just past 11 am they all walked out and sat outside the building.
When Nature Isle News (NIN) arrived on the scene seeking comments, we were referred to the Comptroller of Customs Roderick Deschamps but we were informed by his secretary that “he was at a meeting with the deputy and other top staffers.”
Customs staff who were part of the protest action told NIN that they needed someone to talk to them. “We are on the job as you can see, but we need answers, someone needs to come and talk to us,” one officer stated privately to NIN.
The situation has affected the clearing of goods at the port. Asked for how long will they be protesting the officer said, “I don’t know…” The Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU) is the union representing Custom Officers and NIN was not able to reach its General Secretary Thomas Letang.