Unvaccinated staff were yesterday asked to leave the Ministry of Education’s Lot 21 Brickdam office after a grace period to be vaccinated expired.
Meanwhile, the Ministry denied reports that members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) removed unvaccinated staff in handcuffs from the office.
In a statement released last evening, Permanent Secretary Alfred King, explained that while the GPF was summoned to escort a staff member from the Personnel Department they did not have to because the employee left “voluntarily”.
“A staff member…was denied entry into the compound because he could not present his vaccination and identification cards nor a negative test result. However, he persisted that he cannot be denied entry and forced his way into the compound and took up his post at his desk…the Guyana Police Force was contacted and officers arrived to address the matter. He was cautioned by the officers and eventually decided to leave the building. He was not escorted or handcuffed as is being reported,” King maintained, adding that it was also brought to the attention of the police officers that there were other unvaccinated staff in the building who peacefully complied when they were asked to leave.
According to King these employees had “breached security, violated the Gazetted Order along with the Ministry’s instructions” when they reported for duty.
The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) and Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) have both condemned what they term an attempt to “criminalise workers”.
“There is no need to criminalise workers for any act not considered criminal,” the GTUC said in its own statement adding that it stands ready to support any action the GPSU chooses to pursue.
According to GPSU Vice President Dawn Gardener that action is likely to see an approach to the High Court. Gardner, who was called to the scene by affected union members repeatedly stressed how strange it was for Police to be present.
“The only thing left to do is take legal action. The fact that police have been involved to deal with persons who are not criminals shows that workers are being forcefully denied their right to work. There is no allegation of a crime. I hope all Guyanese stand with these workers,” she told Stabroek News.
The union has repeatedly refused to support attempts to institute mandatory vaccination policies. Vaccination they maintain must remain a choice and all vaccines used must be first approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
According to PS King all staff had been informed on August 9, August 11 and August 23 that they would be denied entry to the compound unless they provided proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test.
“Prior to the strict application of this specific measure, staff were given a two weeks grace period…On August 23, 2021, a memorandum was sent out to all heads of department again through the office of the Permanent Secretary informing staff that there will be strict adherence to the Gazetted Order while recognizing all exempted groups of persons,” it stressed.
Stabroek News understands that the August 9 memo which was circulated to all staff members specified in lieu of vaccination a negative PCR test from an authorised private facility.
Both the GTUC and GPSU have condemned the requirement for private testing as the deliberate institution of financial hardship on workers to force compliance. The GTUC maintains that it is the “duty” of the employer under Section 47 (3) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Cap 99:10) to provide free testing for the employee.
Black and white
This newspaper spoke with one of the officers removed from the building who maintained that he was not provided any directives in “black and white”.
Stressing the importance of written directives within the public service the officer explained that upon arriving at work just before 9 am he observed several staff members sitting outside the compound and was told that they had been denied entry because they could not provide proof of vaccination.
“I chose to enter and went to my desk. A security guard came demanding `my bluebook’. At the same time I received a call and decided to answer. 10 to 15 mins later she arrived and started recording me while demanding my `bluebook’. Another guard who identified himself as a supervisor later came with two police officers who demanded that I provide my bluebook or leave the building. One officer specifically said – `sir you will leave the building or I’m arresting you’”, the staff member related
He explained that throughout this exchange he demanded to be given this directive in “black and white”.
“I know that to either not show up or leave would mean that they could deduct my salary. I needed for management to tell me in black and white that they were directing me to leave work,” he stressed adding that at one point the officers tried to handcuff him. He said he resisted these attempts reminding them that he had committed no crime and would not allow them to touch him. Eventually at just after 1 pm he left the building but remained in the compound until a union representative arrived.
Asked what his next action will be, the employee said “show up for work tomorrow”. Gardener too has advised all workers to keep showing up to work.
