At least 55 teachers have re-applied for jobs – PM

Although some teachers who became unemployed after refusing to take a Covid-19 vaccine are rejecting the Government’s recent offer to return to work, at least 55 teachers have apparently chosen to do so.

“Yesterday I had a meeting with officials in the Ministry of Education. It was reported to me that as of midday yesterday…” Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves stated at a press conference on Tuesday, August 16, “55 teachers applied for resumption of work.”

“Some of them have taken the [Covid-19] vaccines and come aboard and others who are not vaccinated have applied for employment,” he informed.

He also said that he has asked the Public Service Commission to extend the deadline until Monday, August 22.

He was speaking less than a week after teachers took to the streets of capital Kingstown to protest that they should be reinstated rather than have to reapply.

The teachers expressed that they felt the move by the authorities was “bait” especially in light of the ongoing legal proceedings testing the Government’s vaccine mandate.

The Prime Minister addressed the parties to that case on Tuesday, noting, “put yourself in a possible win-win situation nuh?”

“…Apply for your job, it’s not a trick, you can still pursue your case, you can still pursue your case but apply for your job.”

He informed them that if anyone says to them that reapplying for their jobs is “some trick” or a method of weakening their case, “tell them that Ralph say that is political advice, that ain’t legal advice. That ain’t legal advice. I don’t know who giving that advice.”

Gonsalves urged, “don’t let any vanities get involved.”

“I don’t have any vanities in this you know?,” he added.

He also contemplated that he doesn’t know how long the matter will take, whether it will be two years, three years or go to the Court of Appeal and Privy Council.

“I don’t know because I can’t predict anything. All I know is that we were properly advised legally and we are satisfied that the position of the Government is correct,” he submitted.

“Now it’s open to you to say no, you think your position is correct and the Government is wrong, so be it. But all I’m saying to you, you have nothing to lose by applying for your job.”

Gonsalves denied the notion that those who reapply but not “reinstated” will by their actions forgo the retirement benefits that they had worked for before.

“Under the existing law you can add subsequent service with your previous service and that is what we are doing,” he clarified, adding, “This Government is known for making sure that people get pensions who had never gotten pension before, including teachers.”

The Prime Minister also questioned, “Why would I want to humbug you with your pension? Eh?”

“Anybody who tell you that is somebody who is a Ralph hater or who have a political agenda and want use you as some kind of battering ram. A lot of people try that in the past you know but I still standing.”

“Just put on your thinking cap please and don’t allow people to mislead you,” he concluded.

Months after scores of unvaccinated teachers found themselves unemployed in November 2021, the Prime Minister indicated on July 28, 2022, that he was opening the door for these educators to return to their jobs. At the time, he explained that based on recommendations from the Chief Medical Officer it had been decided that it is no longer a requirement for adult workers at learning institutions, which includes teachers, to be 100 per cent vaccinated in order to maintain their jobs. However there are still conditions to adhere to, including mandatory mask wearing and testing.