Temporary employees at the T&T Electricity Commission (T&TEC) are not only being financially penalised for taking sick days, but even more startling is that they are being told that they are not entitled to any sick leave.
Is the Ministry of Labour aware of this situation? Is T&TEC not a state-owned and operated body which is governed by the labour laws of the Republic of T&T?
How is it that you are temporary and feeling ill but you are advised that you must provide a sick leave certificate (doctor-issued) even for one day's absence and still money is deducted from your salary for any time not spend on the job.
Even when you provide said sick leave certificate for more than one day, you are also advised that you should report to work whilst on sick leave.
This is an entirely ridiculous state of affairs, in so far as it relates to these temporary employees. A lot of young people make up this section of "temps" as we say, and it is very unfortunate that T&TEC has chosen to treat them in this very uncaring manner.
Are you saying that someone cannot be genuinely sick? An employee must feel ill, stay home, provide a sick leave certificate (paid for by the temporary employee) and still not get paid for the day? I don't think so. Since the Commission is not paying the employee for the day/days not on the job, why do I need to pay for and furnish a sick leave certificate?
Events like this cannot be allowed to continue and must be stopped immediately. A healthy workforce is always your biggest asset. It is no wonder that T&TEC continues to lose millions and millions of dollars regularly.
How is it that according to Public Service regulations, an employee is entitled (permanent or temporary) to 14 days sick leave yet T&TEC is telling temporary employees that they are not entitled to any?
By the way, where is the union in all of this? You remain silent on this issue and I am sure that you are aware of the problem. The union continues to operate in their ivory tower while temporary employees at the Commission continue to be exploited in a not-so-covert manner.
Joanne Alexander,
Woodbrook