Meeting yesterday at Victoria House between union leaders and Minister of Labour Soodesh Callichurn.
At the center of the discussions is the introduction of a ‘Covid leave’ for workers in the public and private sectors.
According to the minister, the request made by the latter is under consideration and further meetings will be held to fine-tune the various demands of the trade unionists.
Among the proposals made by the trade unionists are the introduction of a COVID leave so that employees do not have to exhaust their sick leaves or other leaves when they are in quarantine or self-isolation, the importance of having inspections in the workplace, the sanitary provisions such as physical distancing, the wearing of masks, the use of sanitizers would not be respected in some companies. In addition, the unions suggested that employees should be given a form of leave when they go for their Booster dose and that the MIC fund made available to companies by the government should also be devoted to protecting workers.
During this meeting, a brief was also submitted and signed by at least eight union leaders. They are calling for the amendment of the Quarantine Act and the Workers’ Right Act so that the COVID paid leave becomes a reality. Also, they are asking the government to give a day off to every worker who wants to do his or her Booster dose.
