Friday, marked 10 consecutive weeks since workers at the Central Board of Health say they have not received their weekly wages.
“Ten weeks straight and no money. It has never been this bad. It is not about politics, we just need our money to take care of our families, we have children in school, bills to pay, rent and other financial obligations,” the employee who did not wish to be named because of fear of victimisation.
One aggrieved worker puts it this way.
“Ah knuckle dem want man get, because you know hard it is to work and can’t get no money to take home to the woman.”
The workers say they are growing weary of waiting for the money due to them.
The workers contacted the newsroom on Friday claiming another promise of payment was broken by the Ministry of Finance.
According to one man, approximately 20 workers went to Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, Lennox Weston, last Friday and a promise was made to pay some money on the arrears this week. Another promise was made to pay the full sum within another four weeks.
“We usually go downstairs Treasury to collect the money, but this time we were sent upstairs and the man asking all kind of personal questions like you have to plead you case just to try and get the money you already worked for,” he added.
An estimated 80 to 100 workers, including garbage haulers, road and gutter cleaners from CBH and private contractors from the Public Works Department are affected by the non-payment.