#JaVotes2020 | JEF responds to quarantine concerns of election day workers

By: Admin

Image caption: JEF President David Wan

The Jamaica Employers Federation (JEF) has responded to complaints from some employees who have been contracted as election day workers that they have been told to quarantine after carrying out duties today.

JEF President David Wan says in cases where employees are carrying out duties in the national interest, there is need for cooperation on the part of employers. 

"I can't speak to the specific instances but we're encouraging our members to work with those employees that provide that service to the Electoral Office for them to work to find a solution to some of the issues related to COVID during this election. There are some grey areas about what the law mandates and what some employers might have as a company policy and it's not the same for all employers. 

"So, we are encouraging employers and employees to try to find ways to resolve these issues in the national interest because this resource that is made available to the Electoral Office during an election is an essential part of the continuation of our democratic process," he urged.  

The Ministry of Labour on Wednesday issued a warning to employers who have told staff, contracted as election day workers, that they will be required to self quarantine for 14 days before returning to work.

It encouraged employers to be guided by the Holidays with Pay Act and Gazette notices published under the Disaster Risk Management Act.