Workers at the General Post Office building in Roseau are back on the job after they protested poor working conditions on Wednesday morning.
Chief Personel Officer Gloria Joseph told state-own DBS Radio that conditions at the building have “been aggravated” by a delay in construction there.
She said she has responded to the complaints of the workers by meeting with them and discussing emergency measures to be taken.
She stated that workers WERE satisfied with the measures to be taken, however, she did not go into any details saying there is a meeting on Wednesday afternoon with senior officials to determine how to proceed.
“What I can say is that we will be addressing the problems with the ceiling, the problems with ventilation in the building, air conditioning in the building,” she noted, adding that these measures should be able to address the issues, at least for now.
Joseph said everyone is back on the job.
“I can confirm that the employees have reverted to work and business continues as usual…” she said.
On Wednesday morning, the employees stopped work as they complained about poor conditions in the building, which has been under construction for many years now.
Leroy Stewart, an employee for 20 years, said the place appears to be infested with asbestos and cement and steel have been exposed since construction began.
He said for the past three years there has been no air conditioning at the post office and dust has been a problem.
He said additionally, the ceiling has to be cleaned because it has been said it contains asbestos and workers have been complaining about their throats.
“We have been talking to officials, talk, talk, talk and nobody is hearing us,” he stated.
He added, “We are protesting today to send a message to the government or who is responsible…”
These workers should take the gov’t to court for putting their lives and their families lives in danger.because asbestos is a cancerous product .The work that are refurbishing should have special protective clothing and a powerful vacuum cleaners to take of every bit of the asbestos.The post office workers should be transferred another building so that they make not have any contact with the asbestos.They will surely breath the asbestos because while ripping off the asbestos it breaks into fine particles which enters through the mouth and the nostrils while you talk or breath.The result to this in the near of far future the works who are in the building might get cancer.Even the road where the building is should be blocked to prevent the public from passing close by .The clothes that they wear should not be taken home because the particles of asbestos will be also in the used clothing and they should avoid getting in contact with their family.This gov’t just don’t care at all.
Continue to strike and protest. That is the only way now in this Dominica
yep sad but true…to get some done its like you need a whip…this ain’t supposed to be
It’s a crying shame and very insensitive on the part of the Govt. to have the postal workers working in such deplorable condition. this building is a nasty eyesore in Roseau.
It will take protest action to get anything done here.
Asbestos, and exposed cement and steel?
Are there any unions involved? This is no joke.
Protest what? A bunch of fearful babies that were crying because their pamper got wet and needed some parental attention to get it changed and you call that protest? Were the asbestos changed? Cry cry babies
Dominicans voted for mediocrity, so they need to shut up already and stop irritating me with their complaints. They brought their misere in through the ballot box, now they need to own up to the consequences and take their misere with a smile, at least until next elections. As they say, a democracy deserves the government that it has. Say cheese, you’ve been punk’d!!
\”Say cheese, you’ve been punk’d!!\”
Always Assertive!
Dominica is one big circus with clowns running the government and its people used as props for the show. Since 2012 a building under construction alledged to have asbestos but they still go back in there. Government cannot maintain the infrastructure that is currently in operation yet they talk about state of the art everything. One day commonsense will return to our people.
What union? These unions like everything else in Dca have become a damn joke. If Letang calls for a national strike now in support of the union workers the same ones standing outside will not show up for fear of losing their job. Only when people start disappearing in Dca because they start talking will we as a people take note and shut down the country. A union is only a registered entity that cannot be effective if the people it represents remain koonoomoonoos. Labor -Kar- Twavaye
Always Assertive!
The contract went to Dominicans that is why the job is taking so long. We have proven our point you guys are useless
This comment is so shameful. A problem exist, peoples’ health are being affected, and the best thing you can say is this? You cannot be serious! So you are part of the problem? You are part of the “we”. You have plenty authority so you better get the job going and maybe the dragging of the work means the usual fleecing of the funds as accustomed by this administration
No! It is you who are part of the problem, if not the problem itself. This is not a situation where the Government has failed to take any action and has allowed a building to dilapidate around the workers. This is a situation where the Government has given a contract to a local contractor who has failed to deliver on the quite large expenditure by the Government so the commentator you are taking issue with has a point.
The contractor is the agent, acting on behalf of the principal, the government. The latter can sue the contractor if they wish but they do remain responsible for the project. Meanwhile they also have an obligation to the employees working at their premises and to ensure their safety and health. What the government can not do is wash their hands off this and at least, not keep their employees and the general public abreast of developments, incl. delays of planned works/ renovations at this public site. I find that a general problem in Dominica, where the govt. does not inform the public adequately. It would remove a lot of stress and distrust if, they did.
Popam in case you don’t now, this is a government building, not private enterprise! You are more shortsighted than a horse with blinkers and make your own party look foolish.
The issue should not be whether the government give a local company to do the work or not. When bids are selected it should be based on price, capability and ability to deliver on time and within budget period. How do we know that? Track record of performance. If local company screws up then let them suck cost overun if is thier fault. The problem is there is a history of sub par oversight and inefficiency which has been tolerated. The government must have standards for all under which be it local or foreign, must adhere to. There is no two ways about it. At the end of the day if a local company screws up and Government (any) says nothing then they are to fault cause it is thier responsibility to ensure every aspect of public safety and interest sufficiently met.
The post office is a state owned property and it is therefore the responsibility of the govt. of the day to see to it that it is kept in good repair. Repair work and alterations on this national building and landmark have been suspended for some considerable time now and it has become an eyesore and public threat to safety. What a contrast with the state palace folly, which is kept in tip-top condition for the benefit of one man! It is a disgrace and I support the workers in their brave action to draw attention to the poor conditions they have to work in. They told me that their action is not political but it is their health and wellbeing they are concerned about.
Peeps what we are seeing in Dominica is just the harvest frim corruption sown by the Roosevelt Skerrit administration. There are other schools where teachers have ti bring in office and bathroom supplies. Many are too afraid to speak out.
A few months agi 3 million on a by election. 32 million on general election. Gi figure
Recently some joker writing on DNO with reference to possible dust problem at the new hospital construction pointed out that there is no problem at the Post office so the point was not.He Myst be eating crow now.Lets hope that there is not a catastrophe at the hospital because of dust contamination caused by shortsightedness.Pray for Dominica
The reality is showing its face
why they ar e not involving their union.that is very strange.
Timothy and Joe
well position for the photo ……. do your thing health in the work place is important…. 
It’s annoying when people make blanket statement about the lack of leadership in Dominica yet still they don’t step up! There are only 21 constituencies but that does not mean you can’t bring about change. Village councils. PTA, churches, youth groups, boards of organizations … all are ripe with opportunities. Stop blasting the government from work at your PCs and get up and lead.
This corrupt Labour Government is a blasting corrupt government 10 fold and over. What do you know of village councils…. Really.? Do you know that they are not well resourced, that they hardly receive house rates from the same poor people all you corrupt government expect them to pay house rates?
You are right, all these groups you mentioned are ripe with ideas and opportunities but they are compromised by your inept Prime Minister who knows nothing of development and walks in and just hands out money with no accountability, strategic plan (That’s if Pm know what that is?).
So peace be with you and work hard to kick out this corrupt leader and his corrupt labour party.
Good for all of them,the ones in the diaspora are laughing now,the wickedness have to come to and end in Dominica,4 years an a job cant be completed,Dominica is doomed and SKERRIT HAVE TO GO.
Cameron, You lots Workers supporters can keep on crying day and night year long, But Remember this you guys are doing all you can to Destroy Dominica and to blite Prime minister Skerrit and his administration just to get at our monies but my friends it will never be good bye for now.
Cameron then you are coming. So must you politicize everything and show your hatred in your heart? Hatred will cause you to get heart attack. Love boy Cameron start that boy. You Re only hurting yourself every time like that ..First time I come ting to you. Boy stop hating anyone. Even show your enemies love . God loves you too. Pray for those who hurt you too. God is in control. Fret not yourself.
First time that I am commenting should read … error.
We need education here
This construction is going on since 2012..We are in 2016.That building is an eyesore on the bayfront to the public and visitors alike..majority of them will rather stay inside the building and due than to face solidarity with the rest of the workers . Great job fellars stand up for you all rights..
I am smelling a rat, two strikes on the same day…something is happening to get us distracted. Are we nearing a by-election in the Roseau South Constituency?
I know is that all you overseas like…election for all you to get free tickets to come to Dominica.
Then when election is over, all you run back and leave us in Dominica in our mizeh.
Is all you that does give them nice treatment when allu see they coming down and they face glowing, I doesn’t ask diaspora what they selling.
DORIVAL, and why not it is our country as well pall.
Well Black Jack is your country too, well come back and live nuh.
Why you afraid to come back? It too poor for you?
That you sit down whole day doing on DNO making conspiracy theories even if they sound as dumb as a doornail
You have just received the cutlery Solidarity thar you deserve.
This has been an issue for years . I went away for years and came back . The post office is in the same state of misery . Foreigners are coming to Dominica each year on the ferry terminal to a sore sight and yet still nothing is being said about the conditions of the Post Office . We need more governmental departments to speak out on working conditions.
Is this the beginning of the awakening or just jokers having fun? As we speak there is another protest at the Isaiah Thomas Secondary School in St. Joseph, as teachers have no chalk and teaching materials to perform teach. In other for this movement to be serious, we need nurses, teachers, farmers, port workers, police officers, and all those that have been handicapped by the Skerrit administration to join the safe protest and send a powerful message to that corrupt government that is only concerned about themselves and to HELL with the majority of us
finally some people are standing up for their rights!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But the other civil servants should stand by them.
Good! So long that building was being ‘renovated’ and it cannot finish.
they love their PM…..dominicans are so dunce and backward they careless about their own health….afraid to call things as is…
i will never ever feel sorry for dominicans, can’t feel sorry for fools….
Feel sorry for yourself and your family. Dominica will be okay with God’s help.
Doesn’t surprise me one inc….Dominica is at it’s lowest point in it’s history and esp since after gaining independence in 78.
Dominica lacks Leadership at all areas, the ruling regime never had a plan so one should not have expected a island soaring….
how foolish it is..that a regime will sit back and boast of selling Dominicas’s passports to so call run day to day affairs on the island..that pretty much tells u that dominica is non existing…..it’s a lost island…
but the citizens of dominica are allowing and embracing this mediocrity so they have to be blamed…Dominicans are crowned hypocrites period, ignoring all the signs of “DOOM” facing the island, allowing one man, just one man to keep tricking and fooling them….dominicans have low self esteem as a society thus them being the Poorest and Slowest economy around….extremely evil and wicked minded…
Amen