Ministry of Education staff relocated from mould-infected quarters

by Eldonte Samuel

The Public Service Union’s (PSUs) Public Relations Officer (PRO), Desrita Gilkes, has expressed pleasure on behalf of the union and its members following a “fruitful” meeting with the Ministry of Education (MOE) on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, which has resulted in a decision to relocate staff from their mould-infected work place.

The meeting was held to discuss how the issue regarding employees at the ministry’s administrative buildings would be resolved after months of complaints about mould infestation that caused workers to fall ill.

“It was recognised by both parties, under no circumstances will they return to the buildings,” Gilkes commented.

The union advised its members to sign in each morning, starting from Tuesday, April 24, to demonstrate their presence and willingness to work, but to picket outside the buildings to emphasise the seriousness of their demands, while maintaining accountability. The action was led in part by Roxanne Pompey, a representative of the Industrial Relations Committee of the PSU.

Pompey told SEARCHLIGHT on Tuesday, April 22, that union representatives were first approached by concerned staff months ago. In response, the PSU met with senior ministry officials, including the Permanent Secretary, back in February. During that meeting, the MOE officials acknowledged the severity of the problem and indicated they were actively seeking alternative office space.

In an interview with SEARCHLIGHT on Thursday, April 24, 2025, Gilkes explained that a suggestion from the union regarding alternative work space for the workers was entertained by the ministry and the decision was made to relocate. Immediately the workers would begin packing to move from the current administrative buildings in Kingstown to the former Teacher’s College compound at Arnos Vale, and by next weekend, some will be stationed upstairs the Flow building in Kingstown.

“Over [this] weekend, they will conclude on what the logistics are in getting whatever items need to be moved out from the Teacher’s College because they have to do some retrofitting still at the Flow building,” Gilkes outlined.

She anticipated that the Buildings, Roads and General Services Authority (BRAGSA) would provide support during the relocation.

Gilkes said among the representatives from the ministry at the meeting were the Minister, Curtis King, and Permanent Secretary, Mickle Burke. They too were forced to stay out of the office from Tuesday, April 22.

In the meeting, King promised the Union that they would try to occupy the space upstairs Flow by next weekend.

“Our workers are satisfied, and they had to make some compromises over the year because they say it was over three years they were experiencing the mould issue. So we are happy we were able to resolve the issue as quickly as it was,” said Gilkes, who expressed gratitude to Minister King and Permanent Secretary Burke for being accommodating.

King also spoke briefly on Tuesday during the picket telling reporters that some workers had already moved prior to the industrial action. He also indicated then the intention to have all the workers moved by the end of this week.

The minister also acknowledged that the ministry’s administrative buildings were not the only ones affected by mould, and that concerns were made known about the mould-related illnesses across multiple government buildings.

“We are not technical experts, but wherever there is mould, we have an obligation to address it,” King said, “Staff members have been given sick leave, and others have been asked to work from home due to the unsafe conditions,” added King, who also explained that securing new office space has been challenging.

He said a previously identified building next to the current offices fell through due to complications with the property’s ownership. Other likely alternatives were either unavailable, or proved to be unsuitable.