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<span style="font-weight: bold">News Source: OTGNR - </span>
<span style="font-weight: bold"> Confirmed : # Jamaica Civil Service...loyees (RJR)...</span>
The Jamaica Civil Service Association (JCSA) will begin an investigation into reports that several employees of the Ministry of Health's head office in downtown Kingston have been stricken by a mysterious illness on Monday.In an interview with RJR News last week Health Minister Ruddy Spencer suggested the problem was a result of poor quality air.However, scientific tests have not proven this.The JCSA, which is the main trade union for the island's public sector workers, says it is extremely concerned about the matter.President Wayne Jones says the decision has been made for the Association to carry out its probe."(JSCA) Vice President Robert Chung, who is a health and safety specialist, will be conducting his own investigations and review of the situation. We await his report as to any further action that is required on the part of the union ... it's an unfortunate situation."In the interim, the Health Ministry is looking to accelerate its plan to relocate from its headquarters at the former Oceana Hotel, on the Kingston Waterfront.However a source has disclosed that this may not happen anytime soon as another Government agency has indicated an interest in the building earmarked for the relocation.For years, occupants of the Oceana building have complained of breathing and other health related problems, linked to debris and items left behind following the hotel's closure in the early 1990's.The debris were removed, however employees say the problem remains. More sick buildingsAnd the JCSA suspects that there are other Government buildings, which are posing a threat to the health of public sector employees.However, according to Mr. Jones, the authorities are ill-equipped to address the problem."We are aware of other buildings that need attention. I don't think the government agency that is suppose to carry out those functions, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security's Occupational, Safety and Health Unit, is fully equipped to do so. I think they need far more beefing up of their resources to put them in a position where they can be more effective in monitoring these situations," said Mr. Jones."This underscores the need for them to get greater support to carry out their functions and we continue to advocate for that," he added.
<span style="font-weight: bold"> Confirmed : # Jamaica Civil Service...loyees (RJR)...</span>
The Jamaica Civil Service Association (JCSA) will begin an investigation into reports that several employees of the Ministry of Health's head office in downtown Kingston have been stricken by a mysterious illness on Monday.In an interview with RJR News last week Health Minister Ruddy Spencer suggested the problem was a result of poor quality air.However, scientific tests have not proven this.The JCSA, which is the main trade union for the island's public sector workers, says it is extremely concerned about the matter.President Wayne Jones says the decision has been made for the Association to carry out its probe."(JSCA) Vice President Robert Chung, who is a health and safety specialist, will be conducting his own investigations and review of the situation. We await his report as to any further action that is required on the part of the union ... it's an unfortunate situation."In the interim, the Health Ministry is looking to accelerate its plan to relocate from its headquarters at the former Oceana Hotel, on the Kingston Waterfront.However a source has disclosed that this may not happen anytime soon as another Government agency has indicated an interest in the building earmarked for the relocation.For years, occupants of the Oceana building have complained of breathing and other health related problems, linked to debris and items left behind following the hotel's closure in the early 1990's.The debris were removed, however employees say the problem remains. More sick buildingsAnd the JCSA suspects that there are other Government buildings, which are posing a threat to the health of public sector employees.However, according to Mr. Jones, the authorities are ill-equipped to address the problem."We are aware of other buildings that need attention. I don't think the government agency that is suppose to carry out those functions, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security's Occupational, Safety and Health Unit, is fully equipped to do so. I think they need far more beefing up of their resources to put them in a position where they can be more effective in monitoring these situations," said Mr. Jones."This underscores the need for them to get greater support to carry out their functions and we continue to advocate for that," he added.