Dear Editor,
The article that was placed in the newspaper earlier on page 13 of The Daily Herald on Friday, April 6, 2018, “Efforts made to remedy mold, mildew in Cottageweg building.” This article does not reflect the actual situation at the RCN building on the Cottageweg and has been used by the RCN Shared Services Organization (SSO) to sugar-coat what is a very serious matter. It is very unfortunate that the RCN SSO department is trying to push the blame in the shoes of the employees.
Over the past six years, employees and clients have been complaining about a stench in the building. The complaints were given to RCN facility services and the owner. Due to continual complaints, it was decided to make some cosmetic repairs to the building, which did not solve the problem of the stench.
The article states that the workers were chastised for not consulting the labour doctor about their health issues. The statement is irrelevant and is being used as an excuse. The employees were at that time not aware that the building was the source of the physical complaints. These employees were separately being treated by their family physicians and/or medical specialist. It was therefore not relevant to inform the labour doctor of this matter.
It is understood that the initiative was taken by an employee to involve the Island Health Department (GGD) due to the fact that their complaints were not being taken seriously by their employers. Based on the findings GGD gave advice to have the air in the building measured. Base on that SZW Unit Manager approached the RCN labour doctor to have the air measured.
After the air was measured by the RCN labour doctor it was shown that the building has severe mold and mildew. The air quality in the building is heavily contaminated. In several areas, the mold is clearly visible on the walls. The building dates from the early 1930s and used to be a supermarket. It has been understood that the RCN labour doctor stated that the building was never designed for air-conditioning. Several employees stated that they have been dealing with several health issues such as asthma, allergies, headaches, weak immune system and have felt their health deteriorate over the years but never realizing that the mold and mildew was a contributor to their demising health.
The building has been condemned on several issues such as uneven floors, leaking doors and windows, mildew and mold on the walls, the mildew stench, leaking roof, etc. It is understood that the labour doctor has deemed the uneven floors dangerous due to several accidents with result in injuries and physical ailments experienced by employees.
Late last year when a building finally became available in Golden Rock, which previously housed the pharmacy, a request was made by the SZW and IND department heads to secure the building for their respective departments. This was an effort by these two departments to solve the continuous issues their employees were being faced with. This move was blocked by RCN’s department of housing, RVB which stands for Rijks Vastgoed Bedrijf, who wanted the building for the Prosecutor’s Office. When the owner of the property indicated that he was first approached by the IND/SZW and was holding the building for them the housing department engineers moved to condemn the building not suitable for any RCN department on the basis that there was not sufficient light coming into the building (to the surprise of the employees).
As an unprofessional in this field, isn’t it easier to add lighting in the previous pharmacy building in Golden Rock than keep the employees in a clearly unsuitable building at the Cottageweg?
After the labour doctor’s report was sent to the different unit managers, the RVB department supported by their director issued a statement that the workers would be safe to continue working if they would open the windows and doors every morning to let the building air out. The IND unit manager acted promptly and decided to send his worker home. A petition was placed to look for a cleaner and healthier temporary location for the IND worker. The IND manager is now facing severe scrutiny and receiving little cooperation because he decided to stand by his worker.
Employees from the other departments experiencing physical complaints and suffering from allergies could not find themselves in the orders of their managers to stay at work and be further subjected to the unhygienic situation in the building. Asked why they would remain in these conditions some uttered that they were afraid to speak out in order not to lose their jobs, while others were intimidated to stay.
It is reported that the RCN SSO is trying to cover up this unhealthy situation. Employees are being chastised that they never consulted the company doctor before on their health issues and that therefore there were no records of them being sick. Even RCN labour inspector who is quick to shut down or fine businesses who violate the slightest health or hygiene code refused to get involved. This building is also being used to house the health insurance department and besides their employees, the clients including cancer patients are also being exposed to this situation.
In the meantime, work has been done to the building to tackle the issues, but only after internal pressure. While the work was being carried out, the employees were to remain in the building inhaling paint fumes, dust, other chemicals. Some employees and clients complained about the burning in their throats and watering of their eyes from the fumes in the building. It is important to note again that after these repairs there is still a stench in the building.
According to the labour laws, it is the responsibility of the employer to provide a safe working environment for its employees. This is obviously not the case with RCN SSO and the employees on the Cottageweg. It is unfortunate that employees need to consult their unions in order to get advice on how to deal with RCN SSO in this matter.
In the Netherlands the employees would never be subjected to this kind of working environment by their employers, why is it then expected that the employees here on Statia accept this?
On his visit to Statia State Secretary, Mr. R. Knops stated that he would like to regain trust with the civil servants and the community of Statia at large. It is obvious in this particular case that RCN SSO is not helping in rebuilding this trust by putting a spin on the story. It is the hope that this article is read by the State Secretary and a solution can be found to solve this matter and avoid situations like this in the future for the employees and the clients.
Concerned citizen of St. Eustatius
Name withheld at author's request.
