Former employers of the Grove/Diamond, Neighbouring Democratic Council (NDC), East Bank Demerara (EDB) are five years on awaiting gratuity owed to them.
Edward Adolphus, 60, of Lot 9 Section B, Block X Diamond, EBD, and four others who were employed by the NDC from 1997-2013 are still waiting for their payment.
According to Adolphus, after he was “let go” as a result of his services being redundant, he was promised gratuity.
However, the man who worked as a tractor operator, reported that after continuously visiting the NDC for the money owed and promised to him, he was being given what he described as the “royal run-around.”
He said for years he has been visiting the NDC and was reassured that he will get the payment, but none was forthcoming. Adolphus said he then approached the Labour Department and was told that he had to wait until the monies are budgeted for and then he will get his gratuity.
The Grove/Diamond Neighbouring Democratic Council
He said after several visits to the Labour Department, he grew frustrated since the only response he has been receiving was “the money is on its way” but to date, the money has not been paid.
When Guyana Times contacted the current Overseer of the Grove NDC, this publication was informed that the gratuity was indeed outstanding.
The Overseer revealed that when he took up his post in February 2017, the money was budgeted for by the NDC and sent to the Communities Minister for approval.
He informed that following approval by that Ministry, the Permanent Secretary will have to sign off before the money could be paid out.
The Overseer noted that to date, following many requests for updates by his office on the matter, they are still awaiting approval. “We cannot pay without the approval,” he told this publication on Thursday.
Meanwhile, a frustrated Adolphus said he is “fed up”, adding that “the same thing I’ve been hearing all these years, that is what they are saying all the time, that they waiting for approval but how long more?”
“I was told to get the media involved to let people hear my plight,” the man relayed.
Minister Ronald Bulkan was unavailable for a comment on the matter.
