DIRCO Annual Report

and the General Public Service Sector Bargaining Council (GPSSBC) made arrangements for virtual hearings to be commenced with only when it was realised that the protocols to reduce transmission of the pandemic were to remain in place for much longer. Thus, fewer dispute cases were handled during the year under review. Since the national lockdown restrictions and remote working conditions were effective from the beginning of the reporting period, reliance was placed mainly on the telephonic counselling and support to all those employees and their families at Head Office and missions who required Employee Health and Wellness (EHW) services. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an increase in EHW services, specifically a significant rise in the categories of services relating to health, bereavement/trauma and anxiety/depression, which could be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, psychosocial support was rendered to 554 officials. Additionally, the EHW practitioners conducted random courtesy calls to missions to determine how the transferred officials and their families were coping under different stages of COVID-19 lockdowns across the globe. Through the Spousal Support Programme, 44 courtesy calls and eight counselling sessions were rendered specifically to the spouses of transferred officials. Regrettably, the department lost 13 employees who succumbed to COVID-19 and other illnesses. Equally, many employees across the board also lost some of their family members. All this resulted in an increase in bereavement counselling to employees and their families.

On health-promotion activities, electronic health articles were circulated on various topics, ranging from how to cope during lockdown, resilience, back care, grief and loss and how to maintain a healthy lifestyle. A total of 37 female employees participated in a breast cancer screening drive. In addition, webinars on stress management and interpersonal skills during COVID-19 were facilitated in conjunction with GEMS. The Occupational Health and Safety Committee was established and convened to deal with occupational health and safety matters. In order to maintain a safe environment, health and safety inspections were conducted to assess and deal with any risks and hazards that might be identified. No injury on duty was reported during this period. One fire drill was conducted. The COVID-19 pandemic became central to occupational health and safety in the department. Through the establishment and the functioning of the COVID-19 Steering Committee, the COVID-19 health and safety protocols and measures were implemented. Resultantly, guidance and support were provided to missions, business units and employees on how to implement COVID-19 health and safety measures. Guiding documents such as the standard operating procedures on how to mitigate the effect of COVID-19 in the workplace; the protocols on how to deal with a COVID-19 employee; and guidelines on remote working were developed and circulated organisation-wide. The EHW practitioners conducted COVID-19 contact tracing to curb the spread of the virus. Through the On-Site Occupational Health Clinic, travel and flu vaccines were provided. The nurses conducted blood pressure checks on a needs basis. In addition, COVID-19 tests were conducted as and when required.

Annual Report 2020/2021 I Vote No. 6

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