Traffic wardens waiting for wages

File photo: Traffic wardens and a construction worker walk along Frederick Street, Port of Spain.

PHOTO BY SUREASH CHOLAI
File photo: Traffic wardens and a construction worker walk along Frederick Street, Port of Spain. PHOTO BY SUREASH CHOLAI

Staff of the Traffic Warden Division under the Ministry of Works and Transport yesterday called on the minister, Rohan Sinanan, to ensure they are paid on time.

Several traffic wardens contacted Newsday to highlight their frustration over not being paid for the past two weeks.

One employee, who did not want to be named, said the situation was very upsetting, especially as schoolbooks and uniforms had to be bought.

“Time I get my salary, books and uniforms will sell out. It is already mid-August and these things sell out, especially the books. Then there will be the hassle to get uniform sizes. This is ridiculous.

“We have been calling the ministry non-stop. We supposed to be paid two days before month end. Every time we call, it's excuses after excuses.

"They can’t do people that. Some workers have no money to get to work, far less to buy something to eat.”

The employee told Newsday one of the excuses given to the workers was that a printer was not working.

Another worker was told her payment would be in her account on August 2, but when she checked there was no money.

“I called back on Tuesday and I was told the Ministry of Finance stopped all printing of cheques. There was no reason or explanation given.

“I called this morning (Wednesday) and I was told the payroll sheets were on the desk of the chief of traffic wardens and there was nothing he could do, because the cheques could not be printed.”

When contacted, Sinanan said there was a glitch in the payment.

“This morning I had a conversation with one of the traffic wardens and the Permanent Secretary," he said. "It is being sorted out. I cannot say exactly when salaries will be paid, but it is being sorted out by the accounting officers.”

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