Urgent “scientific” assessment of GRA needed because workers are falling sick- GPSU

Last Updated on Tuesday, 13 October 2015, 15:22 by GxMedia

The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) wants experts to scientifically assess the condition of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) headquarters because the presence of mould appears to be affecting the health of workers there.

“Having regard to the fact that we currently have little if any knowledge as to whether or not the present state of affairs may amount to a safety and health emergency we are urging that the authorities treat with the Union’s request as a matter of the utmost urgency,” the union said in a statement.

The call for an assessment followed a recent visit by a GPSU team who was told that mould in parts of the building and conditions inside the building during rainy weather.

The union says it has penned a letter to Finance Minister, Winston Jordan asking for an immediate scientific assessment of the safety and health status of the complex located on Camp Street, Georgetown between Middle and Quamina Streets.

No company was identified by the GPSU to conduct the assessment, but the union merely referred to the need for  “ the competent authority” to make “clear and definitive pronouncements regarding the safety and health implications of the continued occupancy of the complex by the GRA employees.’

Workers have been complaining of persistent cough and flu-like symptoms.

“Of particular concern to the GPSU was the view expressed by some workers that there may well be a nexus between conditions inside the complex and their state of their health,” said the union.