| … as 21 staffers fired for failing polygraph testHead of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), Mahender Sharma, said yesterday that as the energy agency continues to maintain its integrity, the services of 21 staffers, among them inspectors and fuel markers had to be terminated after they failed lie detector tests.The GEA senior told Kaieteur News that 21 persons of 34 failed the lie detector test. Some of those, he claimed,Nuova Maglia Roma 2018/19, resigned while others had their work contracts terminated. Sharma told this publication,Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping, “Of 34 persons recently polygraphed,Buy Air Max 90, 21 (61percent) failed.”He continued, “While some have since resigned, the remaining employment contracts have been (or are in the process of being terminated.”“GEA continues to ensure the integrity of the system and by extension, the officers under the Fuel Marking Programme.In addition to continuous monitoring of activities,Air Max Baratas Espa?a, work ethic,Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping, conduct, successes,Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale, failures and subsequent investigations of reports of corrupt practices; polygraph tests have been institutionalized as part of the drive to ensure system integrity.”The GEA head however skirted questions posed about the workers ongoing dismissals, based on lie detector testing. He promised to address, in due course, questions asked by this publication about who recommended the polygraph test for the agency and those involved in the decision making process.He is also to respond on whether suitable replacements have been found for dismissed staffers and whether the Agency had seen reason-that is corrupt and dishonest practice by staff- to implement the use of lie detector test, with an outline of these activities if any.A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has however come out in support of the dismissed GEA workers. APNU, like the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), expressed disapproval at the way the polygraph test is being used by the GEA in its quest for integrity.APNU is calling for, “an immediate halt to the practice and for an independent investigation into the causes for dismissal of all the workers who were terminated by GEA.”The Opposition party said that the lie detector test cannot stand alone and it is thus not “generally accepted.”“We call attention to the reality that the Courts of Appeal in the USA have upheld the exclusion of Polygraph evidence, on the grounds that Polygraphs are not “generally accepted” as scientific evidence (Fryer vs United States, 293F. 1013(DC) cir.1923).”APNU further questioned the abilities of the test administrators, while taking into consideration that the test was administered some eight months ago and over 60 percent of persons reportedly failed.The party also expressed concerns about the “allegations being publicly made, the tests have been applied in a selective manner to only certain categories of subordinate employees and not to the executives and those in leadership positions at the Energy Agency.”Sharma is also being called upon to “immediately cease the practice of terminating workers, based solely on the use of the Polygraph, and mount a credible independent investigation so that there can be clarity about the work related reasons why workers were terminated.”The Guyana Public Service Union also said, yesterday, that it has made contact with the terminated workers but has not got statements as yet.GPSU head Patrick Yarde, who in previous reports condemned the use of the polygraph, urged sacked GEA workers to make contact with the Union whether they were members or not. GPSU has from the inception called for the discontinuance of polygraph tests being used to dismiss workers.Between Monday and Tuesday some eight workers received termination letters from the Energy Agency since they allegedly failed the polygraph test.The workers said, however, that they have not seen the results of their test and that they were further ordered to have the lie detector test conducted, despite the test being voluntary.When Kaieteur News made contact with the Minister of Labour, Nanda Gopaul, he said that while he was aware of the ongoing matter at GEA, workers had not yet made contact with his ministry. He further urged that workers wishing to vent grievances and air their concerns on the matter should further make contact with his office.A source in the said Labour Ministry told Kaieteur News, that it has become policy that Government workers in sensitive areas be subject to polygraph test and potential dismissal based on failure. The source however said that the approach is wrong and should not occur.Kaieteur was told that workers opting for legal intervention have a strong case and are more than likely to win.The GEA’S termination letter however stated that, “…in accordance with clause 18(1) of your “Contract of Employment” which states that: ‘The Agency may at any time determine the officer’s engagement on giving the Officer one month’s notice in writing or on paying the Officer one month’s salary in lieu of notice”.(Zena Henry) |
