The new NLTA communiqué on Sanitary measures for public transport users issued on Friday morning is causing confusion among the transport unions. The health measures are not those they recommended to Minister Alan Ganoo. They remain doubtful for the time being because the said Minister will present the recommendations to the Council of Ministers this Friday during the day. But the UBIW is already taking legal advice in case the important recommendations are not taken into consideration.
Useless communiqué
They are upset. “These Sanitary Measures will neither break the transmission chain nor protect workers and public transport users. Our priorities recommended were social distancing on the bus and the imposition of the Vaccinal Pass for users. None of this is mentioned. Why to circulate a new communiqué to impose what is already in practice?” says Alain Kistnen, secretary of the Union of Bus Industry Workers UBIW.
The measures communicated by the NLTA
The new sanitary measures require the wearing of a mask covering the nose and mouth at bus stops and Metro stations and onboard a car bus and the Metro. Regularly use hand sanitisers, do not stand inside a bus during the ride, adhere to crowd management and keep a physical distance from bus and Metro stops. It is also mentioned that a fine of Rs 50,000 and imprisonment of two years awaits any recalcitrant but also any person threatening, molesting, hindering or obstructing a transport employee during his service. Elderly people and children are also asked to limit their movements during the peak hours between 6 to 10 an and 2.30 to 8 pm.
Legal initiative in preparation
A meeting is planned between the ‘brothers in arms’ of this union including negotiator Ashok Subron, Salim Buxoo representing the UBS, Clarel Anthony for RHT, Ali Maghdoom of the TBS and himself, Alain Kistnen for the CNT. The legal advisors, Me Shenaz Jaunboccus and Me Antoine Domingue are already studying the communiqué and the file. We will first take a legal initiative. But we are waiting for the Minister of Transport to finish his work with the ministerial cabinet before we look at another possibility,” says the UBIW secretary. They will not be able to impose social distancing and the presentation of the vaccination pass in the buses. “We are subject to this current protocol until the protocol is taken into account, which we are waiting for in order to do what makes the most sense in order to break the chain of transmission and stop working in fear,” Alain Kistnen concluded.
The suspense will last until Minister Alan Ganoo makes contact. Developments are expected in the late afternoon.
