General Secretary of the The Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU), Thomas Letang, has said that the union is concerned about a situation in which staff employed under the Division of Agriculture’s Citrus Certification Programme, have not been paid salaries and wages for 12 weeks.
He said different aspects of the programe were funded or supported by different agencies including the IMF, the Venezuelan Government and more recently, the Public Service Investment Programme whose funding came to an end in June 2012.
According to Letang, the Citrus Certification Programme is an important programme of the Division of Agriculture, and is viewed as a programme which will positively impact the economy of Dominica in the not too distant future.
“For this reason the work done so far needs to be maintained,” Letang said.
He said the DPSU also understands that a recommendation to Cabinet to absorb the cost of running the programme under recurring expenditure was approved, but that the paper work which would have ensured that the matter was completely finalized by the ministry of finances has not been done.
“The workers in the meantime remain in limbo and are not being remunerated. We are asking those responsible to place a humanitarian face to the whole issue. To be sensitive to the plight of the employee and to do everything possible to ensure that these people are paid,” he said.
The DPSU General Secretary said he will consult with the employees to decide how the situation is dealt with.
Its is so heart breaking to see that these pple work so hard to produce tens of thousands of healthy citrus plants in order to revitalize the citrus industry. sometimes start work from 5am, work under scotching heat, under rain, rewarded with low wages and now this messed up situation of unpaid/late wage/salary.
Is it that the work that these pple do isn’t appreciated by the Minister and the PS of Agriculture? Since they’re the ones who make sure that every employee under their ministry is cared for through their supervisors, heads of dptments and directors etc. what message, exactly are the relevant authorities trying to send? Is this a punishment of some sort? Is it really true that the pple who do the work on the ground are actually less important than those who work in the offices?
It’s been two months and counting and no one under the Citrus station has been paid. Isn’t there some way that the Minister and or PS can write a check to pay at least one month of wages/salaries to these pple in the mean time while things are being sorted out? thousands of dollars of Gov’t money are being spend every week under the Public support programme, can’t that programme support these pple in the mean time while things are being sorted out? the work they do is as important as the work that any other person in the country does. they have families like the Minister and the PS and the other tecnocrats in the Gov’t. they have children to feed and send to school, bills, loans etc.
Can we conclude that the pple in charge of the affairs of the country do not care about the pple who work to keep their positions active? if there is no field officers or station workers, there’d be no need for Ministry of Agriculture. is that true?
By the way, wasn’t a budget concluded in June-July for 2012-2013? Is there allocation for this dprtment under the budget for Agriculture? if there is, why is it that these pple haven’t been paid for so long?
The natural laws of balance and conservation laws must catch up to those deceptionists. While they paying big money to 17 ministers, 10 advisors, those so call ambassadors, Lor Lor Bannises etc they cannot even pay the little civil servants who are actually doing work in spite of what Parry Bellot says. Like a Ponzi schemer those liars are destined to run into a cul de sac. Just keep pretending that all is well when in reality the country is broke. We the investors , the citizens of this country need to stand up before it is way too late. If we listen to a lot of victims of Ponzi schemers a lot of them had suspicions but refuse to take action. It is time kick this government administration out of office. They use the excuse that the world is in recession but when it was appropriate to create a diversion they told us that we are doing well and that Dominicans at home are sending money to families in the USA. One laborite even told me that people are returning to Dominican in droves because the economy is doing well.
Knowing the small island system I would guess that most of the people in the unfortunate situation are supporters of the party in power. Most of them to compromised to cry out loud. I am sure that there are other government subsidized departments that are experiencing similar problems but alas.
DEMONSTRATE!!!!!!!! what is wrong with our people…take to the streets with your placads..
Is not there fault the government has no cash flow. Empty cut and paste budget budget but no actual cash. The treasury doh have money. SO some have to pay for it. Well Is that most of all you civil servant shout LABOUR POWER for eh so enjoy it. All you had the opportunity to do something about it and you all refuse to take what all you get. Mr Letang you knocking your head against a wall for civil servants and they still not reaching you half way instead they crooking you
«the DPSU also understands that a recommendation to Cabinet to absorb the cost of running the programme under recurring expenditure was approved, but that the paper work which would have ensured that the matter was completely finalized by the ministry of finances has not been done.»
Seems like you missed this part of the article, Mr. IMF!
I feel sorry for you spin doctors…its getting and will continue to get very difficult to defend those guys. Are you going to help them to pay September salaries?
Oh what a mess….that clock continues to tick.
Is not their fault the treasury doh have money. The Government has no cash flow. Yet a big cut and past budget. Well thats what you all voted for so enjoy it sad to say. Well you all had a chance to change things and you all threw it away. All what Letang try for all you all you crooking him.
No money for the citrus project alas do not blame the pm blame those with the responsibility to foward the ducuments tec officers and director SHAME SHAME on the MOA u mean this happens right under u nose and yet still u can boast of THE MOST succesful project WHERE IS mathew in all of the that
so when it good PRAISE D PM but when it bad DOE BLAME D PM?
You know what is so sad – the hogs and leaches milking the cow and keeping cheese are getting their stipends, their bloated expenses paid, advisors who are doing nothing are collecting their $10 K per month salary plus expenses, overseas so call missions are collecting while they are school; What a travesty. Let me guess what the excuses are going to be- we love our PM, other countries having fiscal problems too; – even America; world economic crisis; the people in agriculture who are not paid are too lazy; those voicing their concern are jealous and hate Dominica; other administration had fiscal problems too.
I grew up with some kids who were real trouble makers and their parents made all kind of excuses when these kids were in trouble. Even when these kids were caught with their hands in the cookie their parents would say “ well Ma Etelle son does do it too.” Today some of these kids are 6 feet below, in prison in Dominica and abroad. The message hear is stand up and hold people accountable.
I’ve learned that putty and paint only make the devil look like a saint. An old car remains an old care even if we put expensive rims and enlarged tail pipe. How can we become a better country if we refuse to deal with the problem. If after 13 years we cannot get over the hump then it is either the hump is too big to climb or that we just don’t have the horse power to get us over the hump. Whatever that means to you I am sure our consciences have the answer
bravo…they doh even know how they going to pay September salaries.
Until we confront reality reality will keep smacking us in the face , behind the head , in the rear , in the nuts wherever. We keep making excuses for the failures of those who are elected and well paid to manage the affairs of our country. They lie about the economy and sugar coat the lemon but biting through the sugar is always easy, it’s the lemon that we must get through. The taste of the sugar last just a few seconds and then with a bang the sour taste of the lemon comes into to play. We have seen it over and over again – the more they lie is the faster reality show up to expose the lies and reveal the truth.
As I’ve said before the truth is like a Gremlin – you pour water on the truth and the truth proliferates. Typical examples – the corrallo affairs. After lying and misleading the country about the corallo affairs where people like Peeping Tom, Prof WIKILEAKS profess that Corallo was as legit as slice bread we have not heard one response from these deceitful men regarding Corallo’s destitute status. Sicko Secko was suppose to be back to help the investigation – the last we heard from Tony is “ Go ask the American government for Sicko Secko yourself .”
Another reason that we should not be surprised is that the latest and greatest IMF report indicate that government is spending much more than we are making – how long can we keep running the country on a an empty tank. How long can we keep stopping along the way to beg for gas money just to be able to drive half a mile before the tank is empty.
Mamizoo is no friend of politicians – unlike the bias ones like Peeping Tom, Observer, 1979, Roseau Valley, PROF WIKILEAKS, Jude Nicholas , I call it as I see it. Call me UWPite , DFP ite or Anti Labor if you wish or give me the thumbs down but my reality is your reality whether or not you agree or disagree.
Like I said….liars and thieves prevail.
you must be drunk to group my handle with peeper and wiki…. OOOOOHHHHH i know what, you want to make a name for yourself???? ok ok ok I get you…
all you have to do is stand up for something. and stop exonerating yourself like you are some saint.
if you knew what you were talking about you would know that I champion the cause for the PWC when they don’t pay salaries, among other things. so please
GET OFF MY EFin back zoomami
Mr. latang, you are not there just to repeat what the workers have already told the whole of Dominica. You are the facilitator to resolve these issues with the Gov’t of the day.
If by now the Gov’t have not listened to you, these people need money to pay for their every day living, and to assit them you as the Secretary have to take more aggressive measures to confront the Gov’t and let them see that you and your Union is a serios force to be recognized.
I don’t know what your political pursuasion is, but if you know that you can’t face these guys in power it is time you give up your position and make way for someone else to do the people’s work.
I think Dominicans have become too selfish.
Some of us have to make that sacrifice to take the lead for a better future.
What we must realize is that, these Agricultual workers are the first people who can’t get paid, but what about when it starts to spread to other departemtns???
Roseau we must be pragmatic to- Do you expect Labor party supporters who dominate the civil service to demonstrate against the their party. Mr Letang is fully aware of that. You expect the port workers from Portsmouth to demonstrate; what about those office clerks and administrators up in the ministry or the treasury, the post office- most of these people are in position because of partisan favors.
Man it’s just a vicious cycle we are dealing with – the DFP and the UWP would do the same thing. In that viscious cycle there is ignorance , stupidity, square peg in round hole; attitude of entitlement, snitches. It is a convoluted system and until our people develope into intelligent, independent minded people then this vicious cycle will continue to be politicians joy stick
Is not there fault the government has no cash flow. Empty cut and paste budget budget but no actual cash. The treasury doh have money. SO some have to pay for it. Well Is that most of all you civil servant shout LABOUR POWER for eh so enjoy it. All you had the opportunity to do something about it and you all refuse to take what all you get. Mr Letang you knocking your head against a wall for civil servants and they still not reaching you half way instead they crookign you.
They will give Liat how much milions and give St. Kits another set of millions but can’t pay workers. You hear lie! Bway look lie. That’s lie at the net level.
«the DPSU also understands that a recommendation to Cabinet to absorb the cost of running the programme under recurring expenditure was approved, but that the paper work which would have ensured that the matter was completely finalized by the ministry of finances has not been done.»
you like a scratch record with that foolish point man?…hahahahahahaa
We will only learn when we have worked and at the ending of the month we cannot get paid. Fact is this regime has failed the country and its people.The government is bankrupt of everything. But what do you expect of a regime that has no respect for the constitution of the land.
YOu call our struggles 18- 3………
THOSE WHO COULDN’T HEAR HAVE ALREADY STARTED TO FEEL…..
It is shameful that these staff having to work very early in the morning sometimes at @5am enduring the harsh brutal heat at the screen houses in the gardens just to ensure that we save the citrus industry and at the end cant’ even get pay, “MAGWA CA”, but then the Permanent secretary and minister get their salary and all their allowances on time at the end of the month, up till this date none of them has not made a statement about the situation not even to the staff, they should be ashamed of the office which they holds….
I very much disappointed at this moment its time we get paid cause i have my family to take care of and my bills are so high now. and what i going through not easy we smile but we are not pleased help us someone we are feed up cause allu so always have saying something about young people not going out there to work now we bending our backs allu not paying that is very unfair.Ihave to pay bus everyday get real k.The minister of agriculture needs to step up to his position now now now i”m fed up!!! i”m fed up!!! fed up now!!!
you not fed up yet. Allu can never be fed up. Traffic can flow easily into the city, how allu fed up?
A time when you boast so much about your economy ehhh…..
The “E” should not be in Government sorry! Typographical error!!
Why don’t the use what is produced in Agriculture to pay staff? Why doesn’t the Governement make Agriculture viable and allow it to pay for itself? Why doesn’t Governement experiment with various crops growing in temperate climates in areas like Pond Casse and Laudat?
Why are we not experimenting on dates? and other such crops?
If Dominica is the food basket of the world why are we closing agricultural stations?
Food prices are going up worldwide there is opportunity for Dominica.
I better launch my candidacy for the next election oui!!!
“Experiment with fruits gown in temperate climates in Pond Case and Laudat”. Surely you said that in jest. You are talking about serius genetic engineering and furthermore would you seriously consider competiting against growers in those countries? Now you want an apple to cost $20? Let focus on what we do best and do it better. Let’s not reinvent the wheel.
papa bondieu, how dem people going to survive, already a tin of sardine is $4.00. oh dere
I get 5 sardine for 4 dollars yesterday. Stay in the next level papa.
Oh yessssssssss! All part of the next level..
What is so difficult about government absorbing the cost of compensating so few employees so they can meet their obligations and survive. Pay them now or have the concerned people complete the paperwork and do it. Is this that complicated or are we deliberately dragging our feet while families suffer? This poor country have too much damn red-tape if you ask me. But, the comforting thing for all Dcans is that elections is not that far off….we will see
Assertive, NOT Agressive!
What part you didn’t understand when it was said that ‘Cabinet has approved the money to be taken from the Consolidated Funds’ here it is again
‘He said the DPSU also understands that a recommendation to Cabinet to absorb the cost of running the programme under recurring expenditure was approved, but that the paper work which would have ensured that the matter was completely finalized by the ministry of finances has not been done.’
It is a question of the ‘Efficiency’ of the Public Servants responsible to ensure the directives are carried out…
Parry had a strong point Mr. Letang, how do you feel now?
Yah appologist when bill commitments show up on these people door steps the bill collectors will say ” kool it Efficiency’ of the Public Servants” When the children ask for school books and food tell them the check is in the mail.
Ah, Joe…Well-said! Did not notice that you too, had tried earlier.
How does Letang feel?
Boss stop playing politics with people’s livelihood!
Pay them people their salary and stop take them for idiots.
Pay them, they have their bills to pay.
Because yours being paid, to hell with them?
Is those kinda things that does cause people to rise up boss.
What the mo…