ABOUT 20 employees of the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC) stopped working yesterday, in protest against the dismissal of the Commission's chief accountant, Patrick Hall, on Monday.
The Commission dismissed Mr. Hall after he failed to attend an investigative hearing, on August 28, into charges of "serious and wilful" misconduct in the performance of his duties.
The Board accused him of making a yearly incentive payment to his colleagues without deducting the necessary taxes and statutory deductions "prescribed by the tax laws," and paying tax-free incentives to himself in contravention of the tax laws.
But. Mr. Hall claimed yesterday that he was advised by his supervisors to make the said payments without tax deductions, although the matter was raised by external auditors, KPMG Peat Marwick.
The workers held up placards as they picketed the entrance to the Commission at Ruthven Road, Kingston, yesterday. Placards accused the board of being a "kangaroo board" and claimed that they knew about the non-payment of the taxes all along.
Howard Mollison, acting chairman of the board, was not available when The Gleaner contacted the Commission yesterday for a response. Administrative assistant Patrice Smith confirmed Mr. Mollison's absence. She admitted that some employees were not working, but said that she was not at liberty to answer any more questions.
The workers are represented by the National Workers Union (NWU).
