Gov't paying out more to interdicted civil servants than reported, unions say

By Halshane Burke    

 

The Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU) and the Jamaica Civil Service Association (JCSA) say the government is paying out far more to interdicted civil servants than has been reported.

 

It is believed that $81 million in pre-tax basic salaries have been paid to seven public officials who have been suspended from their roles while an investigation is ongoing.

 

JCTU President St. Patrice Ennis says the figure under reports the full extent of the issue. 

 

"It doesn't include some persons from my unions who are currently under interdiction. So the figure that is counted is much more than seven. I would suggest that it's probably a lot more because these things happen quite often, because the interdiction is also used as a punitive measure, if you can take such a position, have the person out for many years, some even as about 12 years and perhaps more," he suggested.   

 

Techa Clarke-Griffiths, President of the Jamaica Civil Service Association, said her organisation has been involved in multiple cases that have been dragging on for more than a decade. 

 

"If you take a deep delve into those cases that have been pending for more than 10 years, you would realise that we are far, far more than $81 million.... If you accumulate that sum over the other unions, you'll find that the government is spending billions of dollars on these things. And we are talking about persons who are not actively in production and employment," she said.

 

Mrs. Clarke-Griffiths and Mr. Ennis were speaking on the Morning Agenda on Power 106 on Monday morning.