Coronavirus Measures by Turkish Post Office: 'Open the Windows'

Photo: Adana Metropolitan Municipality

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İstanbul Regional Directorate of the Turkish Post (PTT) has advised its personnel to ventilate offices as much as possible, bianet has learned.

A circular letter sent by the directorate to the branches says windows should be opened frequently to ventilate offices. The offices that don't have windows should be ventilated by opening the doors, it suggests.

Ayşe Büşra Yılmaz, the organizational specialist of the PTT-Sen and PTT Kargo-Sen unions, confirmed the letter to bianet, criticizing the PTT for "insufficient measures."

The letter says the PTT İstanbul Office of the Directorate held a meeting on March 12 titled, "The Measures to be Taken Regarding the Coronavirus." It asks the personnel to frequently open doors and windows to ventilate the offices and work jointly with division directorates to improve the conditions of the offices where there is no sufficient ventilation, there are no windows or ventilation systems malfunctioned.

Yılmaz told bianet that the necessary measures have not been taken at PTT branches and workspaces and that workers are not allowed to take a leave of absence despite a circular by the Presidency issued on March 13.

While permanent employees could take an administrative leave without a problem, the subcontractor workers have not been allowed to take a leave,, Yılmaz said.

"Let alone the workers, PTT doesn't do anything for anyone. There are no disinfectants at branches. Disinfectants were only sent to Üsküdar [district]. When we asked the workers about the situation, they said, 'We got it sent through our connections.'

"Throughout Turkey, we are submitting petitions with workers for disinfectants to be provided but they don't take action.

"We are constantly experiencing problems with administrative leaves. However, the Presidential Circular is very clear. Despite the circular, workers are threatened with dismissal.

"We also talked with General Directorate, but I think they are waiting for us to quit or die." (HA/VK)