By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

NEARLY 200 employees from the Ministry of Works protested outside the Ministry’s building yesterday demanding outstanding hazard pay they claimed was owed to them from 2007.

Bahamas Public Services Union (BPSU) President John Pinder said the workers were “sick and tired” of the government promising to pay them and then going back on its word. He said more than 300 workers are owed more than $1.2 million and will “work to rule” until they are paid.

“The ministry keeps promising to pay the workers and then not doing it. They told us they would begin paying last Friday and that didn’t happen.”

“So in their frustration the workers assembled at the entrance to get some answers,” he said.

“We were able to get confirmation that the Ministry of Finance gave financial approval for the workers to get money from July 2014 to the end of March this year and then the $200 hazardous pay will be added to their monthly salary. “They still have not received the money. We understand the government might be financially strapped but our problem is they do not say anything and then the members feel like we are giving them incorrect information. Now they are telling us the cheques will be ready on Thursday. We will continue to work to rule until the money is in the hands of the members. We do not trust the ministry to do what they say anymore, we have been burned too many times.”

According to the 2012 Industrial Agreement between the government and the BPSU, “The employer shall, in the case of inclement weather or hazardous areas, provide employees who are required to work outdoors in any such condition with the necessary gear. Safety equipment and protective safety clothing shall be provided and maintained when it is deemed necessary by the employer for maintaining the safe and healthy conditions.”

The agreement says hazard allowances are payable at varying rates to persons who work “in or around septic tanks; pits; sewers at heights of 30 feet or more; with dusty substances; in wet excavations, drains, etc; civilian staff at prison; Gladstone Road Agricultural Centre; or jack-hammer operators.”

Last summer hundreds of Ministry of Works employees protested over outstanding hazard pay. In July 2014 Mr Pinder said the government began making payments for some of the outstanding pay but his union was not satisfied.