PM Slams Public Service Union Over Border Sick‑Out

Prime Minister John Briceño is weighing in on the controversy sparked by a mass sick‑out by immigration officers at the country’s busiest western border during the Easter rush. As many as a dozen officers called in sick at the same time, prompting an investigation by the Ministry of Immigration and administrative action against several staffers. Government officials suspect the move may have been coordinated industrial action. The Public Service Union disagrees, defending the officers and insisting they followed sick‑leave rules, while warning the government it could face legal action. Today, Briceño pushed back, criticizing union leaders and calling for a more cooperative way to settle public service disputes.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“I wish the president of the Public Service Union would have a different approach with government. Everybody knows he is a UDP and that is ok, but he should set that aside and work with the government to address some of these issues. You question when all of a sudden, eight or ten officers get sick all at the same time. They can’t get sick all at the same time. Something must be behind it and for them to get some of these doctor papers. I have not seen the doctor papers. There is the allegation that some may be fraudulent. I do not know. But as a government, we need to take action to ensure that this kind of behavior is actually illegal. They just cant walk away and say I sick because I don’t like something. They need to sit down with their CEOs, supervisors or the minister and say these are the concerns we have. It is unfortunate that the public service president, instead of him giving an example or talk to his members to say this is not the way to behave. This is not how we address issues. We sit down and talk then he tends to want to celebrate them. It is really unfortunate and I wish we could work closer together in the intent of the public service.”

 

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