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The Universal Postal Union (UPU), the United Nations specialized agency for postal matters, and UNI Global Union, the global representative for postal workers worldwide, today issued a joint statement calling on postal operators and unions to work together to halt the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Acknowledging that operations are kept running by dedicated and courageous postal workers globally, the statement stressed the need for operators and unions to do everything possible to protect the health of workers and customers and prevent the virus' spread.
"There can be no doubt that we are facing one of the most profound challenges ever faced by the international postal network. I urge postal operators in these difficult days to continue to do everything possible to protect the health of workers and customers," said the Director General of the UPU, Bishar A. Hussein.
"In a time of social distancing, postal workers are delivering necessary provisions and connecting us to each other. The safety of these frontline employees is our first priority, and the proper implementation of these international standards will protect workers as they deliver an essential, universal service to our communities," added the General Secretary of UNI Global Union, Christy Hoffman.
The joint statement asks postal operators and unions to work together to inform postal workers about the risks of infection, provide them with the necessary equipment. It recommends social distancing and calls for direct action to lower the risk of community infections. It also asks postal operators to develop methods tailored to mitigating the risks of infection.
The Universal Postal Union is a UN specialized agency with its headquarters in the Swiss capital Berne. Established in 1874, it is one of the world's oldest international organizations and is the primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players.
