Security guards cry out for $ owed by SporTT

JELANI BECKLES

SECURITY officers located at the St Paul Street Multi-purpose Facility are frustrated that they have not been paid for six months and are pleading with the Sport Company of TT to give them the money they have worked hard for.

One worker, who wished to remain anonymous, said life had been difficult since salaries were being withheld since November. The employee said last Christmas was bleak for the unpaid workers of Guarantee Security based at the St Paul Street facility. Approximately seven workers are affected.

The employee, who visited Newsday last week, said a meeting was held between Guarantee Security employees and SporTT just before Carnival. SporTT informed the employees to hold on and that salaries would be paid soon.

"Six months now we have not gotten salaries, next month will make it seven. We want Sports Company to pay us but nothing is happening, all they telling us is to wait, wait, wait."

The employee said SporTT did not give a reason why salaries were not being paid.

"We did not have a good Christmas – no money. From November to now nothing we just sitting down and working. It not making sense."

Another employee that Newsday contacted is having problems to pay rent and has received an eviction notice. The employee also said that four workers have been forced to leave the job because of the situation. Discussing the situation of unpaid salaries the employee said, "I don't know what it is going on, this is crazy."

A statement by SporTT said, "SporTT has been made aware of numerous complaints from suppliers about non-payment for services rendered. The board and management of SporTT share the deep concern and wish to advise on the steps taken thus far to ameliorate the situation.

"Through the company’s line ministry – the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs – requests for the release of funds from the Ministry of Finance have been submitted in order to meet these obligations. However, while the company awaits the releases, SporTT has been unable to make payments to suppliers and contractors, including providers of security services and others.

SporTT asked for patience saying, "SporTT reiterates its kind appeal for patience and thanks its valued stakeholders for their understanding, while the company awaits the releases to facilitate the outstanding payments."