The Guyana Public Service Union is taking the Government to task over its vaccination policy, which led this morning to the locking out of unvaccinated health workers at the public hospitals in Georgetown and Linden.

Public Health workers in Guyana are represented by the Guyana Public Service Union.

The union has made it clear that while it is not against vaccination, it does not like the government’s current posture to “bully” and “force” persons to get vaccinated including health workers.

GPSU Vice President Dawn Gardner was outside the Georgetown Hospital this morning to meet with the locked-out health workers.

She told reporters that the Government’s approach to get persons vaccinated has been all wrong and there is a need for a change in course.

“Give people more information, honest information. The government has a role and a responsibility to ensure that citizens are educated about the vaccines. You encourage persons to take the vaccine and it’s not about you just using bullying tactics, it’s about talking. Talk with the people and hear their views. There are persons with serious concerns and no one is there to talk to them and that is blatant disrespect”, Ms. Gardner said.

In a memo to staffers earlier this week, the management at the Hospital informed them that with effect from today, all staffers must show proof of being vaccinated against COVID-19 or provide a negative COVID-19 test result to be allowed access to their jobs.

The GPSU believes the Government needs to handle the situation much better. According to the GPSU Vice President, despite the union’s many efforts, the government has not been involving the trade union in any of the vaccination discussions surrounding public servants and the country generally.

“The government is insensitive and is bullying people and now they are locking people out of their work and that is wrong. And this should be condemned and not only by the unions in Guyana, but it must be condemned internationally. We want to hear the international community and all who were talking about democracy during the elections, they need to also come out now and talk”, the GPSU Vice President said.

Gardner said she wouldn’t be surprised if the Government decides to not pay the unvaccinated workers who are being locked out. She warned that such a move should be avoided.

The Union is calling on the Government to let good sense prevail and to meet with the workers, hear their concerns and encourage vaccinations. The union said it cannot be supportive of the actions of the government.

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