• TTPost has been unable to supply required PPE footwear to delivery staff for more than a year
• A January 20 memo said the corporation could not execute a procurement contract
• An employee said workers have gone about 18 months without the HSE-approved shoes, leaving many to work in worn footwear.
• Staff whose shoes are unusable were reportedly told to stop delivering and report to offices, contributing to fewer workers on the road and a growing backlog.
• The source said delayed items include pension, NIS and social welfare cheques

By Alicia Chamely

THE Trinidad and Tobago Postal Corporation (TTPost) has been unable to provide the shoes required as personal protective equipment (PPE) to members of its delivery department for more than a year.

On Tuesday, an internal TTPost memo was sent to AZP News by a verified source, who spoke about ongoing issues with the provision of PPE and basic office supplies. The source said the shortages have contributed to a serious backlog of deliveries, including pension and social welfare cheques.

The memo, titled Update on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the Delivery Department, was sent to delivery department staff on January 20.

It said management was aware of the PPE shortages but was unable to execute a contract to procure all the footwear needed. As a result, it would only be able to provide footwear to some employees, prioritising the most critical cases.

The memo stated:

“TTPost Management is fully aware of the ongoing Personal Protective Equipment needs within the Delivery Department and recognises the importance of providing appropriate PPE to support your safety and wellbeing while carrying out your duties.

“Due to extenuating circumstances, TTPost has not been able to execute a contract at this time to procure the full complement of required sneakers and other PPE necessary to satisfy the annual PPE mandate within the prescribed time frame.”

Speaking on condition of anonymity, employees said delivery workers have not received the required footwear under the Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) framework for about 18 months.

One employee said shoes were previously provided through Sports Outlet and delivery workers received an annual voucher to collect one of six HSE-approved shoes.

Sources said delivery workers—who walk for hours at a time, five days a week—are now working in severely worn shoes.

The employee said those whose shoes are no longer usable have been asked to refrain from making deliveries and to report to their respective TTPost offices until being dismissed at 3 pm.

They also said staff were told that if they chose to work in shoes not provided and approved by TTPost, the corporation would not be liable for any on-the-job accidents or injuries.

The source said the situation, compounded by a significant shortage of basic office supplies, has resulted in fewer delivery workers being out on service and has created a major backlog.

They said pension cheques were among the items affected.

“Pensioners have still not received pensions, NIS or social welfare. There are some coming into the offices, but many cannot walk or are in homes and depend on our delivery,” the source said.

Asked how management was handling employees’ concerns, a source said officials continued to “make promises” but that nothing had been done.

The source added that another issue was the inability of the T&T Postal Workers Union to negotiate salary increases because a new executive board has not yet been appointed by the ministry.

They said TTPost workers are calling on the Minister of Public Utilities Barry Padarath to address the situation, ensure staff have the equipment needed to carry out their duties, and facilitate wage negotiations.

Efforts to contact TTPost General Manager of Operations Keonne James were unsuccessful.

Calls and messages to Padarath were not returned by the time of publication.