RTC News received the following press release from the Civil Service Association that reads:
Today Thursday March 24 a number of Civil Servants did not report to work on the grounds of being sick. This event resulted in the closure of a number of Government Departments and the closure of the Providenciales International Airport with the exception of Emergency flights and Essential Services such as Domestic e Fire, Police, Ambulance Services.
It is unknown whether Civil Servants were genuinely sick or whether they were protesting in response to the impending changes in policy as it relates to Taxation, Pension and Payroll. It is also unknown whether they were upset over the Administrations reluctance to allow proper dialogue between their Civil Service Association (CSA) Representatives and persons in Authority here in the TCI or from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. There are numerous unknowns.
However, what is known is that these many issues can affect the mental and physical health of Civil Servants and result in illness such as
what may have occurred today. What is also known is that the Government intends to implement policies that will have a long lasting negative impact on the lives of Civil Servants and their families and residents of the TCI.
The CSA berates the allegation made by the Administration as to the involvement of the CSA in the ill-health of Civil Servants today and also the allegations made about the threat to “public safety”.
Furthermore, the CSA knows for a fact that the Government payroll system was functional today and that the payrolls were prepared from yesterday. Therefore the statement made about the reason to delay payment of wages and salary is false and can only be viewed as an action of victimization todiscipline Civil Servants for being sick.
There are a lot of issues affecting Civil Servants and their families and these issues need to be addressed amicably and with respect. The CSA therefore welcomes dialogue with the Administration so as to reduce the frustration and stress that Civil Servants are currently experiencing and build a better Civil Service and Country.
The release ended with a scripture that reads, The Lord is our light and our salvation; whom shall we fear? The Lord is the strength of our life whom shall we be afraid?
That was the full text from the CSA issued today to RTC News on today’s sick out.
