The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has firmly dismissed circulating claims that a staff “sick-out” disrupted operations at its offices in Castries, clarifying that recent temporary closures were prompted solely by air quality concerns.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Department said the closures were precautionary measures taken to protect the health and safety of staff and members of the public, and had nothing to do with industrial action, labour unrest, or coordinated staff absence.
According to the IRD, the affected offices were closed to facilitate deep-cleaning and sanitation exercises, as previously outlined in a public notice issued on January 26, 2026.
The Department confirmed that the first floor of the Heraldine Rock Building remains closed until further notice, while the third floor of the same building is closed from January 26 to January 30 to allow for deep cleaning, with normal operations expected to resume on February 2. Additionally, the third floor of the ECFH Building on Bridge Street is also closed until further notice.
Addressing the speculation directly, the Comptroller of the IRD stressed that there is no industrial action taking place. “There is absolutely no sick-out or industrial action taking place at the Inland Revenue Department. These temporary closures are strictly related to deep-cleaning activities to ensure a safe and healthy environment for our staff and members of the public. Any suggestion otherwise is inaccurate and misleading,” the Comptroller said.
The IRD emphasized that reports linking the closures to staff dissatisfaction or labour-related grievances are unfounded. The Department noted that services continue to be delivered through alternative locations and via its online platforms.
Members of the public and media practitioners have been urged to rely on official IRD communications and to avoid speculation that could cause unnecessary concern.
The Department also apologized for any inconvenience caused and thanked the business community and the general public for their patience and cooperation as the necessary health and safety measures are carried out.
For further information or assistance, the public is encouraged to contact IRD Customer Service at customerservice@ird.gov.lc.
