Port Antonio tax office closed following staff sickout

The tax office in Port Antonio, Portland, was closed earlier than normal today after operations were halted due to a sickout staged by its staff.

The STAR understands the workers are protesting the unavailability of Air Conditioning (AC) units at the location.

The action, which started on Wednesday morning, reportedly stemmed from a incident on Tuesday where portable AC units were brought in to replace the broken down ones. However according to a worker, who requested anonymity, at least four employees became sick shortly after.

According to the worker, camphor balls were allegedly placed in the portable units- resulting in one employee being rushed to hospital on Tuesday, suffering from vomiting, nausea, and severe headache. 

Members of the public who turned up at the tax office to find it closed were left upset.

"This is unacceptable and I was not aware of this closure," said a man, who gave his name as Mark Hamilton from a Hectors River address in Portland. 

"I travelled from very far to get here only to realise that di place close. Mi come fi sort out mi property tax and to pay for mi tax pon mi vehicle. Mi run one likkle grocery shop, so all dem tax deh mi have fi pay. And di sun hot, so now mi haffi go back home and mi nuh get nothing done, "he added.

Other persons had similar issues and were overheard quarrelling about the sudden closure of the tax office, which according to them was done without informing the public.

Since 2018, the Port Antonio Tax Office has been plagued by AC issues, which have reportedly worsened significantly, resulting in workers being forced to work under extremely warm and uncomfortable conditions. 

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