Hi Paul, thank you for the reply. I am a employee representative for a stevedoring company and the issue has been raised by several members.
This open door approach has been questioned many times as it follows a national policy approach by the company in all ports.
I can understand the wish to maintain safety at work but this really seems a bit over the top to me and other workers.
We have repeatedly asked for oral swab testing to replace this practice but have been rebuffed at every turn.
The issue seems to be a lack of national code of practice regarding collection of swab samples, but I find this response less than compelling,
and certainly not grounds to require this obvious infringement to privacy rights.
Perhaps it is time to push a little harder to have the practice altered or replaced by a less invasive method.
Thanks again.