Move to protect unionised government workers

The National Union of Public Workers’ (NUPW) has declared it is moving to ensure that public workers are protected against a surge of COVID-19 cases here.

In a statement released Wednesday, NUPW President Akanni McDowall said union officials met with personnel from the Ministry of the Civil Service to discuss the safety of public servants.

He said it also included discussions on the possibility of civil servants working from home.

On Monday during a televised national update, Prime Minister Mia Mottley said all who can work remotely, in both the public and private sectors, should be allowed to do so.

At that time she said: “Persons who are over the age of 60 and who are in frequent or prolonged or intimate interactions with persons in their workplace, we suggest remote working and if remote working is not possible, we suggest masking, shielding and where necessary, the ‘guard’ that can protect persons from interacting.

“Similarly, persons who are currently smokers or whose body mass index is over 40 and have occasional interactions with persons, we equally suggest remote working or shielding within the masks or face visors.”

The Prime Minister said the move towards remote work over the next 12 days had been endorsed by the Barbados Private Sector Association.

In the brief statement, McDowall said: “The union met with the Ministry of the Civil Service officials and the Director General from the Ministry of the Public Service to discuss those departments and areas allowed to work from at home during the emergency period.

“At the meeting, we also looked at the health protocols that need to be in place for those officers who cannot work from at home. Overall the meeting was cordial and the Ministry promised to send this information as soon as possible.

“The public can rest assure that the NUPW will continue to ensure that public officers during this period are kept safe.”

McDowall said the union was also “following up on the Government’s response to those departments with primary and secondary contacts”.
(randybennett@barbadostoday.bb)