NDM Blames Finance Minister For Delay In Payments

The National Democratic Movement is blaming the Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr Nigel Clarke for the delay in outstanding retroactive payments to the lecturers at the University of Technology.

According to the Chairman of NDM, Michael Williams, the payments should have been made by October . However, if this could not be done, the Minister should have communicated this to all parties involved.

He adds that though the Education Ministry has pledged $250 million from its existing budget and $150 million from Utech to aid the teachers, it will not be enough. He believes that Utech is able to pay over the funds.

However, on October 25, the President of Utech, Professor Stephen Vascianne had stated that the relevant sum was not received by the Government and Utech was in no position to pay the retroactive payment. He also noted that the position of the management concerning the payment of the retroactive sum is set out in a letter to the President of he University of Technology Academic Staff Union,Lebert Langley, dated May 17, 2019.  The letter indicated that retroactive payment for the financial year beginning April 2018/19 will be paid to academic staff within one month following the receipt of appropriate support from the Government of Jamaica.

However, the Government has not moved to make the payments. Students are being affected by lecturers absence from the classroom and are worried that it will affect their performance in upcoming examinations.

They told CVM LIVE that examinations are due in 2 weeks and there is more material to be covered.

KHADIJAH THOMAS