Directives at Customs on new X-ray machine

The General Workers’ Union has ordered customs officers to refrain from using a new machine that X-rays containers passing through the Malta Freeport, claiming they were not properly trained to use it.

When contacted, section secretary Josef Bugeja said the union believed workers should have been properly trained before being asked to use new equipment.

As a result of this lack of training, the workers were using the machine on a “trial and error” basis. The machine, known as Nuchtec after its Chinese producers, is being used to complement the work being carried out by the Vacis, another machine that uses gamma rays to monitor the contents of a container.

However, Customs director general Joseph Brincat said the directive was “not really affecting daily operations”, because the machine was being operated by workers who were not members of the GWU.

He said talks with the union were under way and the issue was close to being settled.

But Mr Brincat refuted the union’s claim that workers were not trained, insisting customs officers were “fully trained” to use the new machine. He said there was another issue that troubled the union, but refused to divulge what it is.

The Nuchtec is being used by the Customs Department on a lease agreement, with an option to buy it.