– GPSU says in restating call for increase in risk allowance
The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), while making a case for all healthcare workers to be classified frontline workers, on Wednesday, intensified calls for the Government to pay the country’s health workers increase Risk Allowances.
Though protests that erupted in September have seized, the country’s healthcare workers, through their union – GPSU – have remain resolute in their position that they must be paid COVID-19 risk Allowances, and in the case of those who are being paid, an increased.
“…The Union is anticipating an urgent and positive response from the Government as it relates to the payment of the Risk Allowances to these hard working Health Care Workers,” GPSU said in a statement while noting that all other work-related issues as equally important and must be addressed.
The Union’s statement comes on the heels of ongoing investigation, for which it is conducting in conjunction with the Government.
The joint investigative team has thus far visited health care facilities within Regions 3, 5, 6, 10 and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. During those visits, the teams met with all categories of Frontline Healthcare Workers and Management Representatives at each facility.
Healthcare workers, the Union said, used the opportunity to raise several issues ranging from the inadequate provision of Personal Protective Equipment to non-payment of Risk Allowances for working during this COVID 19 pandemic.
“Of significance at each of the location, there was general support from the Health Workers that all categories of Health Workers must be classified as Front Line Workers and also must be paid a Risk Allowance, since the nature of the work within the Health Care facilities required that all categories of health care workers come into contact with a COVID 19 infected person, knowingly, or unknowingly while performing their legitimate duties. That is, Attendants will be the first line of contact in the chain of events leading up to the persons eventual testing and subsequent admission to the COVID 19 Unit where the Doctors, Nurses and other Ancillary Staff will continue to provide further supportive care,” GPSU detailed.
It was based on the repeated concerns raised that the Union iterated the need for all Healthcare Workers to be classified as Frontline Workers and be paid Risk Allowances. The Public Service Union noted too that it was pleased with the Team’s interface so far with the Health Care Workers and the positive outcomes.
“The Union expresses its admiration and commends its members conduct, discipline and professionalism in participating and representing their issues to the Investigative Team,” it said while noting that it anticipates more candid discussions at other health care facilities.
