Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Khadijah Ameen is assuring workers of the Insect Vector Control Division that their jobs are secure and their existing terms and conditions of employment will remain unchanged, following the Division’s transfer from the Ministry of Health.
Ms Ameen gave the assurance during a meeting with workers on Thursday, as part of the ongoing integration of the Division into her Ministry.
She said the workers will remain in their existing positions and the Division will continue to operate independently, under the umbrella of the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government.
“As we continue the integration of the Insect Vector Control Division from the Ministry of Health into the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government, I think it’s important for us to reassure every worker that their job is secure, that their terms and conditions remain intact. We warmly welcome them to the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government.”
The Minister also assured workers that there would be no displacement of staff or relocation of the Division’s facilities.
“The offices of the Insect Vector Control Division, the head office at Jerningham Junction in Cunupia, will remain operational. The labs at that location will also remain operational. The National Blood Bank that is on that compound will remain occupying there. We will share those premises. No one will be displaced.”
Minister Ameen explained that the Division’s county offices will also continue operating, with staff reporting to the Division’s head, who will in turn report to the Permanent Secretary.
She stressed that Insect Vector Control Division workers would not be transferred to the Regional Corporations or placed under their direct supervision.
“They will not be reporting to the Regional Corporations. They remain their own independent division. They fall under the umbrella of the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government.”
The Minister said Thursday’s meeting provided an opportunity for workers to raise questions and concerns directly with her and the Permanent Secretaries. The delegation also visited the Division’s laboratories and offices to assess the facilities.
Mrs Ameen highlighted the Division’s important role in protecting public health, noting that Trinidad and Tobago’s 65-year malaria-free record was due in large part to its work.
She said the Ministry intended to strengthen collaboration with the Ministry of Health to maintain surveillance, testing and other established protocols for mosquito-borne and insect-borne diseases.
She added that the integration would also allow the Division to extend its reach into more communities through the local government network.
“The public should rest assured that the work, the very important work, of the Insect Vector Control Division will continue and it will be integrated further with the Local Government because it allows us to reach into more communities and in terms of public education, we will be doing a strategic plan going forward that incorporates them.”