Public sector trade unions left a meeting with the Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM) late Thursday afternoon empty handed and disappointed after failing to secure a commitment to prioritise the welfare of frontline workers in the battle against the deadly COVID-19. The six cooperating trade unions – BTU, BLLAHWU, BOPEU, BOSETU, NALCPGPWU and BONU – are demanding that in recognition of the risks involved in their line of duty, DPSM setup and finance an Insurance Fund (offering 100% medical aid and insurance) for frontline workers and award them a temporary risk allowance. Further, the trade unions demand assurance from government that frontline workers will be provided with the requisite personal protective equipment as prescribed by World Health Organisation (WHO) among them gloves, N95 masks, respirators, coats, 1m long thermometres etc. For now, COVID-19 frontline workers will continue to be exposed to hazard after DPSM maintained the same attitude, pleading helplessness. The biggest challenge at Government Enclave has been that most of the equipment required to fight COVID-19 has to be sourced from European countries, who themselves are grappling with the spread of the virus. Battlefront "We asked government to provide showers for frontline workers for them to refresh and…