100’s of Hospital Staff ‘Penalised’ by Delays, Union Reports Months Without Pay

The Government Services Employees Association (GSEA) has raised the alarm over what it calls “persistent delays” in paying overtime and ‘Acting Allowances’ to staff across several regional hospitals, warning that the situation is “unfairly penalising” personnel.

Gheerishsing Gopaul, the GSEA General Secretary, expressed indignation over the issue, which he says has been ongoing for “several months,” affecting various categories of personnel including Hospital Attendants, ambulance drivers, midwives, and Health Care Assistants.

Delayed Payments ‘Considerable’

The union has highlighted “considerable delays” in overtime payments, with some staff reportedly not receiving their dues for “several months.”

In some instances, the procedures for authorisation have been completed, yet the money remains unpaid.

Mr. Gopaul criticised the situation, stating: “For a thing this simple, we are penalising all those who are waiting for their due payment, when they have given their time to earn a little more money.”

The GSEA cited an administrative failure where the promotion of an officer responsible for payment processing left a file “in limbo” due to a lack of replacement.

‘Acting Allowances’ Unpaid

The non-payment extends to Acting Allowances, where the union claims several members are performing duties outside their official “scheme of duty” without receiving an “assignment letter,” thus preventing them from claiming the corresponding allowance.

The union has submitted a new representation to the Ministry of Health, demanding a “complete diagnosis of the situation” to find “sustainable solutions.”

No Strike Action Planned

Despite the protracted issue, Mr. Gopaul confirmed that no industrial action is currently planned to avoid penalising patients, stating: “There will be no go-slow or peaceful demonstration.”

However, if the situation does not improve, the GSEA intends to refer the matter to the Ministry of Public Service, and subsequently to the office of the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, if necessary.

The union stated it has been promised that “the necessary will be done,” although no payment date has been communicated.

Ministry Cites Strict Procedures

Responding to the concerns, an official from the Ministry of Health stated that the payment of overtime and Acting Allowances is governed by “well-established administrative procedures” to ensure “rigorous and transparent management of public funds.”

The Ministry explained that “prior approval” is necessary for overtime payments and that delays sometimes occur when requests are not submitted on time or “without the required prior authorisation.”

The official added that claims submitted after the budget closure require financial readjustments, which can also cause delays.

“The Ministry reassures, however, that all valid and duly completed claims are taken into consideration and that payments are made as soon as administrative and budgetary procedures allow,” the official concluded.

Source: Defi Media