Hazardous environmental conditions triggering respiratory problems and other health conditions on Friday morning forced some workers at the Administrator-General's Department (AGD) in downtown Kingston, to abandon their duties and seek fresh air.
Staff at the AGD walked off the job over toxic conditions they say are triggering serious respiratory issues for workers on the third and fifth floor of the building.
All operations have been affected, including customer service and legal services.
The Jamaica Civil Service Association (JCSA), which represents some of the workers, told Radio Jamaica News that the toxic conditions have been a matter of concern for almost 10 years, starting in 2016.
A strident JCSA President Techa Clarke Griffiths, who is now pressing for the staff to be relocated, said since 2024, the staff has been reporting challenges operating in the space, citing worsening air quality and increased health issues.
"We have had persons who have been hospitalised, some with serious asthmatic conditions, that [have] been significantly impacted, along with others who had no issues before but have developed respiratory conditions as a result of the building. I met with the management before, and they have indicated to me that the landlords are currently working on the building and they have started to close some areas that have been exposed. With that being done, the workers are still in the building while the repairs are being done. So the dust and the mould complicate the issue and they are feeling the effect of it," said the JCSA president.
More than 50% of the more than 100 employees are members of the JCSA.
The JCSA head said management has agreed to remote working for some, however, with the worsening conditions, remote work is the only option.
"Well, I'm hoping that is the case. If not, [the workers] will come, sign the register and we will do this again on Monday. We will be taking some fresh air on the outside of the building," she warned.
She said management had confirmed the presence of mould, however, they had indicated that the threat to workers was not severe. But the workers have indicated otherwise.
Administrator-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Administrator-General's Department, Stacie-Ann Carty, said remedial work to fix cracks in the walls and replace the windows on the floors occupied by the AGD is expected to be completed by next week.
She said the necessary mould treatment cannot be completed until building managers, the Urban Development Corporation (UDC), wrap up infrastructural works.
"We must get rectification from our landlords, from the source of the issue, which is the moisture, and we are well on our way. Of course, you have to have interim cleaning and interim policies because it's people's health and wellness that is at play. And so we have a flexible work arrangement policy where people can opt for telecommuting, compressed work weeks, flexi hours to reduce the number of persons in the building. With the ultimate fix coming, once it is that UDC has fixed the windows, which is this week, it's for us to do the deep mould treatment," she explained.
She said several air quality tests have been conducted, including by the Ministry of Health and recommendations made to remedy the issues.
Ms. Carty added that staff who have complained about ill health due to being in the building have been reimbursed for expenses relating to doctor's visits.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Clarke Griffiths said the JCSA will be lobbying for compensation for occupational safety and health hazards in the upcoming wage negotiations with the government.
She argued that too often, the buildings housing government workers are plagued with issues.
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