COVID-19: Did Somebody Forget The Postman?

In times of lockdowns and reduced social and economic activity, postal services remain running as one of the pillars of society. The postal network ensures daily communication and the delivery of goods to all, even during a crisis.  

In a joint statement, UNI Global Union and the Universal Postal Union — the UN agency for the postal sector — are urging postal operators and postal unions to put key measures in place to protect the health and safety of postal workers around the world as they continue to serve during the coronavirus health pandemic. 

The current COVID-19 pandemic illustrates why the universal postal service must be regarded as essential. When communication options available to the public are limited and free movement is restricted, the postal network reliably serves every household and provides access to a range of services, from the delivery of household items to payment solutions. 

These crucial functions are kept running by dedicated postal workers across the globe. 

Christy Hoffman, General Secretary of UNI Global Union, said: "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."

Bishar A. Hussein, Director General of the Universal Postal Union, stated: “There can be no doubt that we are facing one of the most profound challenges to the integrity of 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.”

They urge postal operators and postal unions to: 

• Inform all postal workers about the risks of infection, the importance of the use of personal protective equipment, and maintaining hygiene standards.  

• Provide postal workers with personal protective equipment, to disinfect workplaces, work tools and vehicles regularly, and to adapt workplaces to achieve the recommended social distancing needed to prevent virus transmission at all postal facilities.  
• Act to lower the risks of community infections by providing postal workers with the opportunity and time to follow hygiene procedures, to self-isolate as required and take compensated sick leave as may be provided for by applicable work place rules.  
• Adopt processing and delivery methods tailored to mitigating the risks of infection.