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A Crotlieve Councillor has said he has been contacted by a number of workers at Warrenpoint Harbour who the said "have raised serious concerns about conditions inside the port and harbour estate". In reply Warrenpoint Harbour Authority has said they "received no odour or air quality complaints from staff or workers, in relation to the concerns raised"
Councillor Mark Gibbons said he has carried out his own checks and was satisfied that those who contacted him do work at the harbour and live in Warrenpoint.
Cllr Gibbons said the following concerns have been brought to his attention:
In reply to the allegations a spokesperson from Warrenpoint Harbour Authority said: "Warrenpoint Harbour Authority (WHA) has received no odour or air quality complaints from staff or workers, in relation to the concerns raised. The Union has also advised that it has received no complaints.
"WHA also recently completed its annual employee health assessment programme, with no concerns reported on odour or air quality."
The spokesperson added: "The health and safety of everyone who works within the harbour estate is our highest priority. Any issue affecting workers is taken very seriously and investigated fully."
Cllr Gibbons said that while he could not independently verify every allegation, the consistency of the concerns being raised means they cannot simply be ignored. He said "The people of Warrenpoint have been living with these odour issues, flies and concerns about spraying for a number of years. Now, a growing number of harbour workers are saying they simply cannot take it any more."
The workers have asked to remain anonymous.
The WHA spokesperson added "We have strong governance and reporting measures in place, including confidential mechanisms for employees to report concerns. WHA's Health and Safety Committee, which includes full participation from Union representatives, provides a formal forum through which workplace issues can be raised and addressed. We would encourage any staff member or worker with concerns to raise them with the Harbour Authority through our established reporting procedures.
"As part of our continuous oversight of operations, we are in regular contact with customers and statutory agencies to ensure all activity meets health and safety standards.
"WHA continues to manage operations for a diverse range of customers and cargoes, supporting employment, trade and economic activity across the local and regional economy."
Cllr Gibbons added that if people have complaints, they can report them to the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland using the online complaint form at www.secure.hseni.gov.uk. Cllr Gibbons also said anyone who works or lives near the port and is experiencing new or persistent health problems should report them to their GP, and ensure their GP records that they work or live near the port.
Cllr Gibbons said he will be raising these issues with the appropriate authorities and seeking clear answers on behalf of those who have contacted him, and that his door remains open to any other harbour workers who wish to speak with him in confidence.
He added: "When workers themselves are saying 'enough is enough', those responsible for those workers should be listening. Their voices deserve to be heard, and their concerns deserve to be taken seriously. The people of Warrenpoint and those who work at the harbour deserve far better than this.
