Interim Payment for Day Care Workers Approved After 4 Months of Unpaid Wages

Dozens of care workers for severely disabled adults will finally receive their unpaid wages after a financial crisis threatened to close down vital day-care centers. The National Social Inclusion Foundation (NSIF) has approved an interim payment to cover four months of salaries, from July to October 2025, in a move that offers temporary relief to nearly 100 employees and the families they support. The crisis had left many day-care centers on the brink of closure since August, with some non-governmental organizations (NGOs) unable to pay staff since July.

Union Demands Prompt Action

The breakthrough came after pressure from trade unions and families. The president of the Confederation of Private Sector Workers (CTSP), Reeaz Chuttoo, had warned that some NGOs were considering legal action for breach of contract if the situation wasn’t resolved by the end of September.

He stressed the devastating consequences of potential closures, arguing that many families, often from modest backgrounds, would be left unable to provide proper care for their children.

Mr. Chuttoo had also accused the government of administrative delays, claiming that while allegations of financial misconduct were being investigated, workers were suffering.

He urged the authorities to authorize an immediate interim payment, pointing out that employees were already registered with the relevant authorities and their details had been verified by the NSIF.

Administrative Breakdown and Future Plans

According to sources within the Social Security Ministry, the payment delays were caused by some NGOs allegedly inflating funding requests or failing to provide the required documentation.

While the government had assured the public that a solution was imminent, the administrative holdup had been a source of frustration for both the day-care centers and the families they serve.

In a statement, the ministry acknowledged that the “unfortunate situation” was a result of past poor planning, particularly following the creation of the Special Education Needs Authority (SENA), which only provides funding for individuals aged 5 to 20.

The interim payment, which was authorised by Social Integration Minister Ashok Subron, will cover salaries as well as costs for meals and other expenses.

However, the CTSP sees this as a temporary fix to a more systemic problem. Mr. Chuttoo believes the state is ultimately responsible for these young adults, arguing that NGOs are merely “facilitators.”

He has also warned that in a case of breach of contract, responsibility could be shared between the NGOs, the ministry, and the NSIF.

The Social Integration Ministry has recognised the need for a long-term solution and has planned a consultation with NGOs to review policy on the care of young adults with disabilities.

Source: l’Express