NAB contractors to receive outstanding monies in coming days

Contract workers assigned to the National Assistance Board (NAB) should start receiving payments soon, following an almost two-week delay.

Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Kirk Humphrey on Wednesday morning revealed that the monies had been made available.

“The funds have just been released to the ministry and will be transferred for payment later today,” Humphrey told Barbados TODAY.

“While we release today, pay can take a few days and so we hope all will be settled by end of  the week or early next week latest.

“The matter has been settled and we will endeavor to ensure that these delays are not repeated,” the minister added.

The elder care workers, many of whom are said to be single mothers, are paid bi-weekly. They were last paid in mid January, with reportedly no explanation from their superiors about the absence of their cheques at the end of the month.

Home helpers, who are employed in the public service, were also affected by the late payments. But about a week ago, some of them received the funds, while the contract workers remained unpaid.

In the meantime, some of the workers assigned to the companionship programme said they were already struggling to pay rent, buy food and even find money for transportation to go to the homes of the elderly whom they serve.

“I was walking home from the 30th of last month until now. It seems nobody cares about us and each time you go to the office it’s a different story,” one worker told Barbados TODAY.

“I sat on my bed last night and watched my cupboards empty as the water ran out of my eyes and I have a child at home to maintain and to feed,” the single mother added.

Minister Humphrey said he was cognisant of the difficult circumstances and offered an apology.

“The ministry fully appreciates the difficult circumstances that anyone would face if salaries are delayed and we apologize to the workers for the inconvenience,” he said. (KS)