Air traffic controllers demand implementation of COVID-19 measures

Members of the Suriname Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (SATCA) who went on strike in the weekend made it clear that they will not return to their work stations until after all of the COVID19 measures have been implemented at their workplace. “COVID-19 is rising fast in Suriname and the government has implemented a number of measures including a total lockdown. All that time we reported for duty as usual because we are an essential service. But we see that our safety and health is not being taken seriously at the workplace because there are very few to no disinfectants, surgical masks and gloves at our disposal. The workplace and the equipment are not being disinfected optimally due to the lack of disinfectants. We also want a safe working environment,” a union member told Times of Suriname. He added that management has failed to implement the guidelines that have been sent several times by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). “No clear instructions have been given by management in case accidents happen at the workplace or in case a coworker starts showing symptoms of COVID-19.” The chairman of the SATCA, Shakti Goerdat, has sent a letter to Public Works, Transport and Communications Minister Vijay Chotkan, to make it clear that the safety and health of the union members is a top priority for the SATCA and that the COVID-19 measures must therefore be implemented as soon as possible. The union also wants management to deploy more buses to transport the union members as it is against the rules to put too many people in one vehicle.