NEB workers being shifted

Minister Dr Esther Byer Suckoo is all smiles after a meeting employees of the NEB. In tie is Permanent Secretary Andrew Cox. (Nigel Browne)

Wed, February 08, 2012 - 12:09 AM

NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT BUREAU (NEB) workers will be temporarily operating from the Labour Department in the Warrens office complex, St Michael, for the rest of the week.

Minister of Labour Dr Esther Byer Suckoo said this decision was taken after her meeting with the workers yesterday, a day after close to 21 employees walked off the job, complaining about poor air and water quality in their office in the old National Insurance Scheme (NIS) building in Fairchild Street, Bridgetown.

“We were aware of the situation before, as the building was closed at midday on Friday and we have received intermittent complaints even before then but, having met with the Ministry of Housing, it was determined there was no other office in which to relocate them, so effective today [yesterday] they are going to be operating from Warrens in the Labour Department,” she said.

Byer Suckoo said the move should “hopefully” last only a week while the NIB’s city office underwent industrial cleaning and an electrical system overhaul, with filters being added to the water system. (CA)

Read the full story in today's MIDWEEK NATION.