Trade unions not happy with plans to end work-from-home arrangement

 

There is more push back from the trade union movement to the Prime Minister's announcement that the work-from-home order for public sector employees is to end on December 31.

 

The Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU) wants the Prime Minister to reconsider the change. 

 

JCTU President Helene Davis Whyte said she is puzzled by the Prime Minister's announcement as it appears that message is at odds with concerns about a likely fourth wave of the coronavirus which is expected to affect the country soon. 

 

"Most public sector entities do not have the space to be able to have the social distancing that is necessary," she contended, adding that "if a fourth wave is expected, then we shouldn't wait until that happens to be taking action to protect the workforce." 

 

The Union of Technical, Administrative and Supervisory Personnel (UTASP), which represents several categories of public sector workers, has also objected to ending work from home arrangements.

 

The union's general secretary, St. Patrice Ennis, said the wholescale return of workers should not be allowed. 

 

"There are over 191 entities, even state agencies and so on. Government is the largest employer with over 100,000 workers. I'm sure there are different circumstances in different places, but to have one size fits all, that carte blanche approach cannot be the way to proceed with respect to how we treat with this thing. So, I would have suggested some sit down and some discussion with the various entities or with the leaders from the respective entities," he proposed.  

 

Another trade union, the Jamaica Civil Service Association, has complained that there was no consultation before the decision was made to end work from home arrangements.