MAPUSA: Expressing concern over the spike in COVID cases, the Secretariat staff on Wednesday met the Chief Secretary with their grievances.
A staff said, “We have demanded that Secretariat be allowed to function with only 50 per cent staff, sanitisation of office thrice in a day, testing of all the staff members and not to allow public in the premises”.
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“We met the Chief Secretary and he assured to place our grievances before the Chief Minister,” the staff member informed.
Earlier on Wednesday, before commencing their work for the day, the staff from different departments gathered to meet the Chief Secretary.
Staff claimed that COVID cases are increasing at Secretariat and government is not doing anything to ensure their safety. Cases are reported in all the departments, but despite several requests to their superiors to provide some relief either by closing down or working with 50 per cent staff, no action has been taken.
“We are sitting in close proximity with no social distancing. If this continues and cases keep on increasing then everyone will get infected and the administration will collapse. Before the administration collapses, we want the government to take action since we are risking the lives of our family members too”, an employee complained.
“We have kids and senior citizens at home. Some employees have comorbidities. The Government should come up with guidelines on working of the staff. Not only the staff, but even public visit the office despite requests not to allow them. Conveying messages is not enough, but prompt action is required,” the employee added.
The staff members informed that the premise is not sanitised on regular basis till date and no testing has been done. People are getting themselves tested by visiting the PHCs.
