GPSU female execs call for removal of embattled Region Three official

Jul 10, 2013 News

By Zena Henry
Female executives of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) are very unhappy with the way authorities are treating the matter of an alleged sexual assault involving one of its members at the Regional Democratic office, Region Three. The union is most of all upset that the embattled official at the centre of the controversy is still on the job days after the allegations would have been made and is demanding his removal.
The women of GPSU are thus calling on the Human Services Minister to launch a full investigation into the matter. They have registered their concern via letter to the government official and have, in an earnest call to fight against sexual assault in the workplace, echoed this call for women’s rights, support groups and the public at large to voice their concerns over the matter.
GPSU has asked for the alleged victim, who was transferred to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, to be sent back to her place of work and for the official to be sent on special leave.
According to them, during the union’s preliminary stage of investigations-which is now complete- there was much difficulty in getting information from staffers who expressed fear of being victimized.
General Secretary (acting), Deborah Murphy reported that staffers were fearful of giving evidence and written statements as the senior official was still on the job. Some senior staffers have started giving additional information while others are still skeptical.
At this stage, the union claims investigations are being compromised, while the accused official and others indirectly involved have the opportunity to tamper with witnesses. The union executives opined that an accused cannot be “left to dwell at the scene of a crime and tamper with evidence’.
The union believes that at the government level, the Human Services Ministry should conduct a transparent and fair investigation into the matter. The letter, which is also directed to the President, the Prime Minister, Labour Minister and Opposition Leader, states that while the victim in the sexual assault matter was transferred to the West Demerara hospital, there is no position there for an Accounts Clerk III.
Dawn Gardener, Second Vice President of the union said that currently, “she is sitting at a desk with nothing to do and all day to do it.” The victim, she said, should be reinstated to her previous duties.
The Region Three office and Permanent Secretary of the Local Government Ministry said however that the victim was already slated to be transferred to the West Demerara hospital because of her “attitude.”
Gardener said that the victim is appointed at the Regional office by the union, yet in relation to allegations of her having an attitude problem, there was no report about it. “If the victim had attitude problems, the union expects that an investigation would have been launched and the necessary action taken. To transfer her without an investigation means they would be transferring the problem to the West Demerara hospital.”
Gardener said that the union is in receipt of a detailed description of the incident which led the victim to involvement of the police, and of other instances where the accused official would have made sexual passes at the woman.
The man is accused of putting his hand down the worker’s blouse. He reportedly blocked the woman’s path while on the work premises and made verbal passes at her. When he picked up the woman’s work bag and umbrella, fumbling with it, it was said to be the last straw. She went to the police before informing the union.

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GPSU female execs call for removal of embattled Region Three official

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