Couva South MP Rudranath Indasrsingh is calling on the Government to “mandate an adverse weather advisory protocol which would ensure that businesses relieve their workers at an acceptable and sensible time so that workers may attend to their own safety” during times of impending natural disasters.
In a statement yesterday, the MP said the adverse weather pattern brought out both the best and worst in employers. While Indarsingh commended employers who placed their workers’ safety and wellbeing first, he condemned companies that failed to allow employees to leave work on Tuesday before the adverse weather from the Tropical Storm Warning was scheduled to impact this country.
“I noted in strong disbelief of several posts on social media of companies dismissing their workers within just two hours of the time at which the Met Office advised the storm would have hit our shores. This was further confirmed having received several calls from workers across the country of offices and private sector businesses attempting to keep workers in their establishments based on their own disbelief that the storm would come. On the same note, I wish to strongly lambast those companies who took the safety and wellbeing of their workers for granted, for putting their ‘almighty dollar’ first,” Indarsingh said.
The Couva South MP sought to remind companies that they need to value their employees and not place them in danger.
“I wish to remind these companies, especially those who see themselves as ‘holding’ some level of ‘prestige’, that the real prestige behind your businesses are your workers. Many of these workers are single parents with an extended family having children, parents, life and property to secure against stormy conditions,” he said.
“Additionally, not every worker may be as fortunate as the owners and directors of these companies to live in well-drained areas with immaculate infrastructure. Many workers come from humble homes which cannot be taken for granted in extraordinarily adverse weather conditions or warnings of such,” he added.
“When one considers the closing time of some businesses, the scarcity of public transportation given the weather alerts, the potential for flood, traffic disruptions combined with the responsibilities to pick up children from caregivers, tend to family members, the need to secure property, and the challenging time window in which all of these issues must be considered, businesses need to do better in ensuring the welfare of their workers.”
This is why Indarsingh is now calling on the ‘haves’ or the owners of big businesses to “consider the wellbeing of the ‘have nots’, if the ‘haves’ must continue to have.”
“I am therefore calling on the Government to mandate an adverse weather advisory protocol, which would ensure that businesses relieve their workers at an acceptable and sensible time so that workers may attend to their own safety.
“This protocol should be enforced by the Ministry of Labour and its supporting agencies. It should also include increased access to public transportation in cases of adverse weather, and a system that allows for benefits and protection of skeleton staff in businesses where such staff is necessary,” Indarsingh implored.
The Couva South MP cautioned that in rebuilding the economy post-COVID-19, the Government and citizens must guard against business owners who are minded to take their employees’ safety for granted
He said the Opposition UNC continues to stand on the side of workers in both the public and private sectors in this country.
