GRA should pay a duty allowance to EHOs for carrying out extra duties

Dear Editor,

The GRA has issued a directive to the authorities responsible for the issuing of shop licences, both new and those which have been renewed. Among other clauses it is stated that a Sanitary Certificate of fitness must be presented before a licence can be issued for any premises.

Under the job specification and description for an Environmental Health Officer (EHO) the inspection and issuing of certificates of fitness in the case of certain premises are not on the normal list of duties – for example, hardware stores.

The Government Analyst, Food and Drug Department is paying a duty allowance of $6,324.00 per month to each EHO who carries out extra duties as a Food & Drug Inspector on behalf of the department.

As such, the GRA should pay a duty allowance to EHOs for carrying out extra duties on its behalf.

The list of duties for an EHO can only be altered by the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development and/or the Minister of Health.

Yours faithfully,
R Sukhu
Senior Environmental Health Officer
Region 6