Association keeps eye on backpay

Richards said yesterday that he was hoping that the monies are released in time so that the Accounts Department could put the necessary measures in place to facilitate payment at the end of this month. Two weeks ago Richards texted Minister of Finance Colm Imbert to get an update on the second payment of back pay promised by the Ministry of Finance.

Minister Imbert acknowledged the text message and replied that it was his intention to make the payments.

Yesterday Richards told Newsday, “We are anticipating the second half of the back pay by March 31 as promised by the Minister of Finance.

Nothing other than that will be accepted by members of the Protective Services which included polices, prison and fire.

“We will not accept any disappointment in that regard since officers would have already made financial arrangements pending that payment, so we are just hoping that the Minister does all in his power to fulfil the promise he has made which include timely instructions and timely releases of funds, for the period 2011-2013.” He reiterated that he anticipates that the Minister will live up to his promise. Last September, officers of the protective services started receiving their back pay for the period 2011-2013. Due to the state of the economy officers were promised that the second part of the back pay will be paid in March of this year.

Both Police and Fire Officers said yesterday that they too are eagerly awaiting the payment like their colleagues in the Prison service because they had also made financial obligations