Global Energy employees asked to return for 'essential' work in Ross-shire
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ANXIOUS employees asked to return to work for one of Ross-shire’s most significant employers have been promised stringent safety measures to protect against Covid-19 infection.
A source close to Global Energy Group’s workforce contacted the Ross-shire Journal to voice concerns after around 100 workers were asked to restart work imminently.
But the company, which sent home close to 350 staff on March 24 to help combat coronavirus, insists it will implement the highest standards of protection and social distancing for the “essential” work.
The source, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "Workers were sent home on safety grounds following guidelines on social distancing and efforts to slow the spread of the virus.
"I believe they may be under pressure from a client to finish a contract, but I am absolutely sure it could not be classed as essential. While people are being given a choice, to me it's ridiculous to even ask them at a time like this. Who wants to put the health of their families at risk? In my view, social distancing is impossible in the workplace.
“I know some are really angry about this."
But Global Energy Group communications director Alastair Kennedy stressed that health and safety considerations would be paramount.
Only 100 of 350 workers would return to work, lessening the pressure on workplace space at up to five company sites on the Cromarty Firth.
Mr Kennedy said: "There is some essential and critical subsea equipment required by our clients within the energy industry.
“The word we’ve had through is that this is an important part of keeping the energy sector operating and oil and gas flowing.
“It is deemed essential and critical and we wouldn’t be considering doing it otherwise.
“We won’t be opening any facilities until such time as we have made certain we have the right additional safety measures in place to meet Government criteria. Our health and safety team are working on that right now.
“If and when it happens, we would take back around about 100 staff maximum out of 350, probably across five sites.
“That will create more space and allow us to adhere to the stipulations of two metres between workers.
“We would never even think about opening the facility again without the safety of our employees being paramount.”
