WESTERN BUREAU:
HUGE PILES of garbage were left uncollected in the streets in several communities in and around Montego Bay yesterday as workers employed by the regional department of the National Solid Waste Management Agency continued their protest over the delayed payment of their salaries.
The garbage has remained uncollected since the workers began demonstrating on Friday, demanding to be paid their salaries in full before returning to work. Councillor Noel Donaldson, Mayor of Montego Bay, is to meet with the disgruntled workers today.
"I have invited a delegation to meet with me today to have a discussion because they say they have not been paid for three weeks and they just learnt that salaries due to them would not be paid until Monday," Mayor Donaldson said.
"Although the Parish Council has no direct control over Western Parks and Markets, we are responsible for the cleanliness of Montego Bay; we have to take a keen interest in what is going on," he said.
More than 20 placard-bearing workers demonstrated in various sections of the second city on Friday against what they contend were the irregular payment of salaries, as well as poor working conditions. They said wages were to be paid fortnightly, but they were informed that money that should have been paid on Friday, would not be received until today.
"It work out like that each fortnight," one of the workers said. "A year and six months now them (the NSWMA) in control. When wi fi get the pay either we get it when bank close or we get it two or three days after pay day. We just cannot take no more."
