St Helena : St Helena: STATEMENT FROM BASIL READ/SHG
Submitted by Saint Helena Herald (Nathan Prince) 16.06.2012 (Article Archived on 30.06.2012)
It is not Basil Read policy to divulge details of the employee/employer relationship. However, recent reports in the media touch on this subject and are not entirely factual.
STATEMENT FROM BASIL READ/SHG
It is not Basil Read policy to divulge details of the employee/employer relationship. However, recent reports in the media touch on this subject and are not entirely factual. Basil Read Management would also like to clarify that at no stage have they made any media statement with regard to their alcohol and drugs policy.
The facts of the matter are:
- Basil Read has an interest in maintaining a safe, effective and professional working environment for all its employees. This includes senior management, administrative personnel, plant operators, general labourers and so on.
- All employees are bound by an Alcohol and Drugs Policy which sets clear guidelines for the circumstances surrounding substance abuse.
- As part of this policy, a random sample of employees undergoes routine testing for alcohol and drugs in conjunction with a confidential questionnaire. This sample is completely random and drawn from all nationalities, age ranges, and fields of work within Basil Read. Such testing is standard for any major construction environment.
- In order to provide Senior Management with an indication of drug usage, random samples were carried out recently. As a result, there were indicators of some use of cannabis by some employees.
- No inference can be made that there is a high level of usage amongst Basil Read employees as the sample population was a small percentage of the total workforce. The findings do not provide evidence that there is a high level of usage overall, nor can it be stated, as it has been in the media that usage was limited to the younger generation and the plant operators. This is inaccurate reporting.
- Basil Read will continue to administer their Alcohol and Drugs Policy. As part of this Policy, routine random sampling will continue to be carried out. Any employee found to be in contravention of this policy will be consulted with on a confidential and individual basis.
- Basil Read prides itself on its employer/employee confidentiality and will ensure that the Alcohol and Drugs Policy results remain confidential.
At present Basil Read employs around 160 people on Island, of which 115 are St Helenians, with the remainder South Africans. We are very concerned that the recent media reports might infer that Basil Read employees are regular drug users. There is no evidence to substantiate this.
As the Client under the Airport Project, SHG is pleased that Saints are able to access the employment opportunities arising. Moreover, Basil Read has invested heavily in employee training, uplifting of skills, and has shown a commitment over and above the requirements of the contract in ensuring that Saints are able to access these opportunities. On a day to day basis, we interact with Basil Read employees who are clearly enjoying the challenge of the project and the training offered. We and they are passionate about the difference this major project will bring to St Helena, and SHG has every confidence that Basil Read and its employees will deliver the Airport Project in a thoroughly professional manner.
Basil Read/St Helena Government
11th June 2012
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