Barbados Trade Union Leader Calls for Enhanced Protection for Front-Line Workers During Natural Disasters

General Secretary of the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados Dennis De Peiza has put a case for increased protection for front-line and emergency workers during hurricanes and other natural disasters.

Speaking at yesterday’s launch of the damage and loss assessment conducted by the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, he spoke of an urgent need for Government to address the welfare and interests of these critical workers.

“The labour movement has been putting this on the table as part of our negotiations with Government for public salaries and conditions. It comes to mind now that we need to address the concerns and the welfare of the workers that we call front-line workers and emergency workers..

“We are calling on the Government to look carefully at those persons and to protect their welfare and interests. They respond in all types of emergencies,” De Peiza told those gathered at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.