Postal workers face dangers on the job

POSTAL WORKERS were told yesterday that they fall into the highest risk category among workers and face serious physical and emotional dangers on the job. They were told by Oropouche MP Dr Roodal Moonilal, an industrial relations expert, that measures must be taken to protect them in their work environment “All workers are now exposed to violence and abuse because of the breakdown and rage of society. This is reason enough for measures to be taken to protect postal workers,” Moonilal said when he spoke at a seminar on the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) held yesterday at the headquarters of the Transport and Industrial Workers’ Union (TIWU) in Laventille.

The seminar is part of an ongoing education programme organised by the Postal Workers’ Union, aimed at upgrading the skills and knowledge of executive, branch and shop floor officers of the union.  Moonilal spoke on “The impact of OSHA on Labour Relations and Production Processes in Trinidad and Tobago.” The MP, who recently completed a comprehensive study on the status and implementation of health and safety legislation in the Caribbean along with UWI, Mona Lecturer Dr Noel Cowell, reflected on recent industrial accidents and fatalities.

He told the workers the OSHA needed to be implemented and he would support a call for a general strike by the trade union movement to pressure the Government to implement the legislation. “The main reason employers are against the Act is because of the worker’s right to refuse work if they believe it is unsafe to work at a certain place at a certain time!” Moonilal told the gathering. However, he added, if employers allow implementation of the Act, there is also a system to deal with  workers who behave unreasonably —  the Industrial Court. Moonilal who underscored the importance of the legislation and the benefits of having it implemented told the workers, “This Act should be like your Bible.”