The PSU is calling out the government for slacking on the overtime payments for public servants. They say that for the past two months, they have received complaints, especially the shift workers which include nurses, doctors, pharmacists, emergency technicians, and lab technologists.
The release explains that reduced working hours was compromised to a slashed salary, and then says, quote, "In a failed effort to appease Public Officers, the Government reduced the work week by five hours; i.e. from 39.5 hours to 34.5 hours and 45 hours to 40 hours respectively, for the different classes of workers.
Despite the Cabinet mandated reduction of the work week, the Government deliberately chose not to legislate a reduction of the statutory work week which stands at 39.5 hours and 45 hours respectively. Since June 2021, by manipulating the law, the Government has been forcing Public Officers to work up to 39.5 hours and 45 hours respectively at regular pay rates instead of at overtime rates for hours in excess of 34.5 hours and 40 hours respectively." End quote.
This problem has been ongoing since June, when shift and essential workers realized their pay was short. Now the PSU is invoking its current trade dispute with the government and is standing in solidarity with all public officers who refuse to work overtime.
