Forestry Division workers not paid

The workers, many of whom are single mothers claim they have not been paid for over three months and are unable to purchase text books for their children.

Some workers said they were fed-up and have nowhere else to turn. Mother of seven Susan Niles, 39, said she has now reached her limit.

“I am a single mother and I have all these book lists in front of me and no money to buy any books for my children. What do I do now,” Niles asked. “We come to work everyday hoping to get paid. It has been since June that we have not been paid,” she added.

Niles said she has been forced to borrow money from friends and family just to ensure her family does not starve and bills are paid.

“I am a single mother who work hard day in and day out.

It is unfair to have us waiting so long for our salaries.” Another single mother of four, Sylvia Victor said she has been employed at the ministry for the past 11 years.

“I really don’t know what is happening and why we are getting so much problems to get our salaries. We are not robbing anybody and it frustrating to have to beg for your own money,” Victor said.

“When it is time to pay the rent or buy food people do not want to hear that you have not been paid since June.

They want their money,” she added.

Another worker, Robert Joseph, 58, said he has run out of options.

“This is madness, to be coming to work everyday and not being paid. This is really frustrating, we are just fed up,” Victor said. He said the next step may be to protest.

“We did not want it to reach to this stage, but what other option do we have,” he asked.

The workers are supposed to be paid fortnightly.

When Newsday contacted contractor Laureston Special, he confirmed that he was aware of the situation and stated that there was no reason why the workers could not be paid.

Special said that it was hurtful to know what was happening as he knew many of the workers have families to take care off.

A source at the Agriculture Ministry said pay sheets are currently being prepared to pay the affected workers.