Essential staff deserve equal protections
by Bernard Harbor
 
 Fórsa’s head of health, Éamonn Donnelly, said the protocol explicitly covers frontline settings, and that DPER’s advice removed any doubt about its application in hospitals and other health settings.
Fórsa’s head of health, Éamonn Donnelly, said the protocol explicitly covers frontline settings, and that DPER’s advice removed any doubt about its application in hospitals and other health settings.

Fórsa has insisted that essential health staff who have attended work throughout the Covid-19 crisis should get the same health and safety protections as public servants returning to workplaces after periods of remote-working.


Unions have negotiated a protocol, which outlines the steps that employers must take to ensure a safe workplace when staff return to work as national restrictions are relaxed in the coming weeks and months.


Fórsa subsequently sought and received confirmation from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) that the protocol applies in the health sector, and that its provisions must apply to workers who have been present in their workplaces throughout the crisis.


This includes health workers in all streams, including health and social care professionals (HSCPs), clerical and admin staff, managers, technical grades and others.


The requirement to apply the protections in health settings was subsequently acknowledged in Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) guidance, which says: “Employers should ensure that the Return to Work Safely Protocol is reviewed for any additional issues that should be considered to ensure compliance with the protocol for those employees who are already working onsite.”


In talks with the HSE and other health service employers this week, Fórsa’s head of health, Éamonn Donnelly, said the protocol explicitly covers frontline settings, and that DPER’s advice removed any doubt about its application in hospitals and other health settings.


“It makes explicit provision for what it calls ‘customer-facing’ settings, or what we call patient and community care settings. So there’s no reason why staff who put their health at risk at the height of the crisis should not now enjoy its full protections. Anything less would increase the public health risk and insult health workers, including the 7,600-plus who have already contracted the virus,” he said.


Health staff make up over 32% of the total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Ireland. This is the highest proportion in Europe. Over 25% of the health workers who’ve contracted the virus are from health and social care professional grades represented by Fórsa.


The ‘return to work safety protocol’ was agreed between the Government, unions, and employer representatives through a tripartite body called the Labour Employer Economic Forum (LEEF). Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan is one of four union reps on the LEEF.

 

If you have questions or concerns about your own situation, you can contact Fórsa HERE

 

See Fórsa’s guidance on the ‘return to work’ protocols HERE


See the DPER document HERE (section 6.2 refers to settings where staff have continued to work).

 

 

 

 

It’s never been more important – or more easy – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact us HERE.

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