Government has zero tolerance for sexual harassment in the workplace, according to Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency Joseph Harmon, who yesterday assured that it will act swiftly to address such cases.
“Women, in particular, …must understand that the state will offer them the protection once they are harassed by anyone. This is a clear position which we have,” Harmon said during a post-Cabinet press briefing yesterday.
His comments came in wake of an allegation that a senior Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) manager kissed and touched a woman who worked there without her permission and attempted to prevent her from leaving his office. The police are currently investigating the allegations.
Harmon told reporters that government awaits the outcome of the police investigation. “Once that investigation is completed and recommendations are [made], I want to give the assurance that the government will act swiftly with respect to any person who is found to be guilty of any offense of that nature. I want to make that very clear,” he said.
The alleged incident occurred on July 30th, 2018 and after no action was taken by the airport’s management despite complaints, the woman filed a report with the police on June 17th this year. According to the information provided to this newspaper, the police wrapped up their investigation on June 22nd and was to send the file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice. From all indications, the police have not yet delivered the file to the Kingston-based Chambers.
Additionally, repeated efforts by Stabroek News to contact the facility’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ramesh Ghir for a response to reports that the senior manager was back at work were futile.
On Wednesday an official of the Human Resources Department had said that he could not confirm that the man was back at work. This newspaper was told to make contact with the office of the CEO on the following day. However repeated calls to the number provided went unanswered.
The security credentials which were taken from the manager’s accuser have not been returned and the airport management has not made contact with her in relation to that or any other issue since she was escorted out of the building by security officials on the day after she filed the police report.
In a press release, the management of airport had announced on the evening of June 18th that a senior manager had “proceeded on leave to make way for an ongoing police investigation,” while adding that the complainant’s security credentials were also withdrawn. It said the action followed the opening of a police investigation based on the report by the complainant.
“The alleged incident …was previously investigated by airport management. At the time, there was no evidence found for further action to be taken,” the release added.
The airport indicated its commitment to ensuring a “safe working environment for all employees and all persons who work at and use the airport” and added that in light of the recent incident, steps were being taken to strengthen the existing protocols. Over the weekend, the airport announced the commencement of its interventions designed to tackle the issue of sexual harassment and assault in the workplace.
