Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
by C. Francique
The Department of Labour has issued an advisory in response to several enquiries from employers about the requirements for workers exercising their right to vote.
Speaking on the Grenada Information Service (GIS), Labour Commissioner Sparkle Grenade Courtney said enquiries surrounded the payment of staff for the time during which they go to vote and the allowance for time to vote.
In response, the Labour Commissioner quoted the Representation of the People’s Act Section 83, which reads, “Every employer shall, on polling day, allow every elector in his or her employ the prescribed period for voting, and no employer shall make any deduction from the pay or other remuneration of any such elector or impose upon or exact from him or her any penalty by reason of his or her absence during such period.”
According to the act, any employer who, directly or indirectly, refuses, or interferes with the granting of the prescribed period for voting, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years, or both.
Courtney shared other protections enshrined in law to safeguard the rights of workers to their political opinions. She said section 26 of the Employment Act prohibits discrimination against any employee on the grounds of political opinion. Any employer found guilty of this offence may receive a fine not exceeding $10,000 or a term of imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or both.
Section 74 of the Employment Act goes on to say that an employee cannot be terminated based on their political opinion.
Courtney responded to repeated enquiries from employers about whether they could deduct pay from daily paid workers for time spent voting. She clarified that the law makes no distinction among categories of workers and requires all workers to be paid in full.
Additionally, the Labour Commissioner provided several helpful tips to keep the workday flowing smoothly on polling day, including: early roster planning, staggering shifts and breaks and early communication via official or social channels such as WhatsApp.
As it relates to the responsibility of employees, Courtney said workers must check the voter’s list and polling station to ensure they are eligible to vote, as well as checking in with their supervisors beforehand to agree on a time. She emphasised that employees must return to their workplaces once voting is complete, especially when a significant part of the workday remains.
Courtney called on employers to ensure their employees are allowed enough time to vote.
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