An election-day worker points to a window in a bathroom with missing sections at Mico University College in St. Andrew yesterday. - Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer
Published in the Jamaica Gleaner: Monday | September 3, 2007
Several election-day workers, disgusted by accommodation arrangements at the Mico University College where they were to overnight yesterday, walked out on the institution.
Some workers remained.
But Earl Simpson, the deputy director of elections, said this would not affect today's operations.
The workers, who were scheduled to work in East Kingston and Port Royal, accused the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) of poor planning in relation to the sleepover plans.
"Election fi postpone again," one disgruntled election-day worker shouted.
Her colleagues also voiced their anger over what they say were the unsanitary conditions at Mico.
Simpson acknowledged that there were some "challenges", and said they would be addressed.
"We have identified their concerns and we are going to do some cleaning of the rooms," he added.
The workers voiced their displeasure vociferously as they led The Gleaner team to several dusty rooms and odorous bathrooms.
Bad hospitality
"They told us that we would be staying in hotels at every meeting, and when we come is a hogsty we see," said one worker. "The rooms are dusty, mosquito a lift off the toilet seat, the bathrooms have no window and anybody can come in on you," said another worker.
Others, including pregnant women, also complained about the facilities.
Last night, Director of Elections Danville Walker said the EOJ had to resort to Mico because of a shortage of rooms in the Corporate Area.
He said many rooms that were booked at the Pegasus hotel were no longer available because of a recent fire at the facility.
However, Walker said some workers are being accommodated in hotels.
