The Ministry of Works says it is processing outstanding payments owed to employees following protest action outside its headquarters Tuesday morning.
Workers gathered at the ministry on St. John’s Street on July 28 to demand unpaid wages and overtime. Government truck drivers joined the action in solidarity, contributing to traffic congestion in the area.
Shop steward Mr. Peters told George Wehner that some employees are owed overtime dating back to 2014, while workers hired in April have reportedly not received wages.
“We want our money — all our money,” Peters said, adding that the employees would not resume work until they were paid.
In a subsequent statement, the ministry said management was “fully engaged” in completing the processing of the outstanding payments.
It said the relevant processes have continued to advance since inquiries were raised on Tuesday, July 14.
“The Ministry assures that every effort is being expended to resolve this matter to the satisfaction of our hardworking staff as soon as possible,” the statement said.
The ministry thanked employees for their service and pledged continued support as it works to transform the country’s infrastructure.
The statement did not provide a date by which the outstanding payments would be made.
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ABLP had to honour the workers salaries, especially what was done and promised in the run-up to the General Election. No way, no how could the Ministry for Works not pay what was earned by these hardworking Antiguans.
Let’s see when the ABLP’S next U-turn will occur. I can guarantee you it won’t be long…
Why are politicians so duplicitous?
The good thing though, Antiguans will not let them mislead us EVER again…
Maria mek it bun dem some mo. They deserve it
Why does it have to take protest action for outstanding payment and action to be taken by the Ministry of Finance. Unconfirmed reports by a spokesperson for the group suggest that outstanding legacy payment dates back to decades. This is certainly not a good sign.
@ Brixtonian
I am not as confident as you. Antiguans go for glitz and glamor plus the election largesse that is always a sure thing. One voter told me the Opposition can’t compete when it come the the freebees
I hear you @Faithful #2 👍🏾
Yes why does it have to come to protest action from the staff to get people to do their job. And only because the issue was brought to the attention of the PM. They must have gotten a royal cussing from him. It’s not about no Money there. It’s just people failing to do their job and process the payments. People should be held accountable in this country in the public sector. Because I bet you that these very same persons that have to now process all these payment will incur overtime as well and then they also will need to get paid at sometime. So what could have been done in regular hours is now done in overtime, with premium pay.