Prime Minister Gaston Browne says officials have been instructed to accelerate payments to Public Works employees who are owed wages and overtime.

Speaking Saturday on the Browne and Browne Show, Browne said several workers hired within the past two or three months had not yet received their salaries, while other employees were awaiting overtime payments.

He attributed the delays to bureaucracy and said the permanent secretary, Public Works staff and the Treasury Department had been directed to process the outstanding 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 said he had received information indicating that overtime payments had been processed through January.

He said he instructed officials to accelerate the remaining vouchers so the outstanding overtime could be brought up to date.

The issue followed recent action by Public Works employees who gathered to raise concerns about unpaid wages and overtime. Browne said he met with the workers and directed officials to address the delays.

He did not provide a deadline for clearing all outstanding payments or disclose how many employees are affected.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: PM Browne Orders Public Works and Treasury to Expedite Unpaid Wages and Overtime.