COVID-hit Alorica promises to pay workers 100 per cent salary up to April 30

Alorica call centre says it will continue to pay all staff 100 per cent of their base salary until April 30 even if they are unable to work from home.

However, there is uncertainty what will happen after that.

In a letter to staff, Alorica said it will communicate any further development on or before April 30.

Of the 173 people tested positive for the coronavirus in Jamaica, 84 are Alorica employees, according to the Health Ministry.

Meanwhile, the company said payments will be made via bank transfer on the employees' regular pay day. 

It further said, staff who are unable to work from home will receive a one-time direct deposit payment of $13,500 on Monday, April 20.

"This Alorica 'care package' is not a salary, but our way of providing you with some additional funds to help support you in getting what you need while you’re unable to work," said a spokesperson in the letter over the names of several company executives.

The company said employees who currently work from home will continue to do so and receive regular pay and the opportunity to earn more through their respective programmes.

At the same time, Alorica said it is actively seeking solutions to transition more employees to work from home and will provide an update by the end of the month. 

The company has suspended operations at its Kingston and Portmore locations.

The chief medical officer Dr Jacquiline Bisasor McKenzie has said the company was compliant with established guidelines.

However, she said since the evaluations there has been need for more stringent guidelines and a new policy is being drafted.

But Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton said after passing the initial assessments over the past month, Alorica was clearly in breach of government orders as sick employees were being allowed to work instead of being sent home.

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