Peaceful Assembly
Health care workers demand immediate and better labour conditions
Recent protests and walkouts have occurred at several health care facilities in Barbados. On 3rd August, a dozen nurses at the Maurice Byer Polyclinic protested for not having received hazard pay for over two years and denounced poor working conditions. They expressed concerns about the Station Hill, St. Peter medical facility, attributing frequent illness to the establishment’s damp and mould-infested environment. According to the news outlet Barbados Today, the Ministry of Health issued a brief statement, saying it is working with the polyclinic’s management to address the environmental issues.
“The building has a lot of mould; it also harbours excessive moisture, particularly during rainfall. Many areas with electrical circuits remain damp. Every time you step into a room, you suffer from various respiratory conditions – runny nose, burning eyes, and throat discomfort,” a nurse said.
Similarly, on 10th August, health care workers, including nurses and various staff members at St. Philip Polyclinic, initiated a work stoppage, highlighting concerns regarding environmental issues within the facility, notably fungus on walls and uncomfortably warm rooms. Following a meeting with representatives from the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the Unity Workers’ Union (UWU), the predominant union representing a substantial portion of the nursing staff, expressed satisfaction with promises of immediate and long-term solutions to be implemented.
On 22nd October, at Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), engineers walked off the job to protest the dangerous condition of the incinerator. “The incinerator is a very, very important piece of equipment. […] and it is about to shut down,” said Wayne Walrond, the union’s deputy general secretary.