PM Gaston Browne has instructed officials to speed up payments to Public Works employees owed wages and overtime. Browne discussed the issue Saturday on the Browne and Browne Show.

Several workers joined Public Works within the past two or three months. However, they have not yet received their salaries. Other employees are also waiting for overtime payments.

Browne blamed bureaucracy for the delays. He said he instructed the permanent secretary, Public Works staff and the Treasury Department to process the payments quickly.

“All we did was ask the PS and the staff to expedite, as well as the Treasury Department, so they can be paid,” Browne said.

Later in the programme, Browne gave an update on the overtime payments. He said he received information showing that officials had processed payments through January.

However, some overtime payments remain outstanding. Therefore, Browne instructed officials to speed up the remaining vouchers. He wants the government to bring the outstanding payments up to date.

The issue follows recent action by Public Works employees. The workers gathered to raise concerns about unpaid wages and overtime.

Browne said he met with the workers after they raised their concerns. Following that meeting, he directed officials to address the payment delays.

The Prime Minister said officials must move the process forward. This includes Public Works staff and the Treasury Department.

Meanwhile, Browne did not give a deadline for clearing all outstanding payments. He also did not say how many employees the delays affect.

For now, officials must focus on the unpaid wages and overtime. They must also process the remaining vouchers.

Browne said overtime payments had reached January. However, workers still have outstanding payments beyond that point.

As a result, he wants officials to speed up the process. The move aims to bring the overtime payments up to date.

The concerns came after Public Works employees gathered to highlight the issue. Browne said he responded by meeting with the workers.

He then instructed officials to take action on the unpaid amounts. The Treasury Department will also help process the outstanding payments.

However, the government has not given a specific date for completing the process. Officials also have not disclosed the total number of affected workers.

Browne said his instructions should help move the payments forward. Meanwhile, Public Works employees continue to await the money they are owed.

The issue remains focused on unpaid wages and overtime. Browne has directed the relevant officials to expedite those payments.