Nedlac urges employers to allow workers to vote on May 29

The leadership of organised business, labour, community and government at the National Development and Labour Council has urged all employers to support and allow their employees vote in the upcoming general elections on May 29. Nedlac explains that while election day is a public holiday, there are still those who are required to work, such as those in the essential services and in the retail and agricultural sectors. “Our democracy is only sustainable if every registered voter is allowed to vote on election day,” Nedlac said. The Labour Council encouraged all employers to observe election day as a paid public holiday and, where possible, to give workers the day off. “This will enable all eligible workers to cast their votes and reduce pressure on voting stations as people rush to vote at night. It will also avoid voters being at risk of crime at night,” it said. It added that for those employers providing an essential service or needing to work on election day, they should provide adequate time to for their staff to go to their voting stations.