The State yesterday handed over a $700,000 cheque to members of the Blind Welfare Association who protested the late payment of salaries for the month of September. Yesterday’s protest was identical to protests held in September 2013 for the same reasons, and the association has complained in the past about inadequate funding for its school and other offices.
Minister in the Ministry of the People and Social Development Vernella Alleyne-Toppin, in a brief telephone interview, said a cheque worth $700,000 had been signed off by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar two weeks ago, but had been delayed due to work in Parliament related to the budget. “We apologise for the delay but they should have received that cheque by 2 pm today (yesterday),” Alleyne-Toppin said.
At around 10 am, workers exited the building and marched on the sidewalk, calling for CEO Kenneth Surat to either pay up salaries or resign. They were joined by president of the Public Service Association Watson Duke, who said the association had been plagued with a “melting pot” of issues over the past two years, which had reached the boiling point. The association employs about 100 monthly paid employees, represented by the PSA.
Apart from salaries, Duke said, the building located at the corner of Duke and Edward streets was very unstable and did not have a fire certificate. “These people who are visually challenged would face certain death. Their minds are not wired to follow a particular course of action in an emergency. There must be a fire certificate at this building and the other offices in San Fernando, Tobago and the school in Santa Cruz.
“We will not be working in any building that does not have a fire certificate.” Duke said employees would protest every day until salaries were paid.