Prime Minister Gaston Browne has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring Public Works Department (PWD) employees receive their overdue overtime payments, urging ministry officials to expedite the necessary paperwork to facilitate processing.

Speaking on The Browne and Browne Show on Pointe FM, Browne addressed concerns from workers who reported delays in receiving their overtime wages, with some claiming they had been waiting for months. In response, he contacted the Accountant General live on air, who confirmed that all vouchers currently in the Treasury had been processed. This indicated that outstanding payments were stalled due to delays at the Public Works Ministry, where vouchers must be prepared before submission.

“The issue here is not a refusal to pay,” Browne explained. “We process payments weekly, but the vouchers must reach the Treasury in order for workers to receive their overtime.”

Employees from the roadworks and trucking divisions called into the programme, voicing frustration over what they described as selective payment, with some workers receiving their overtime while others continued to wait. The Prime Minister urged affected employees to press their department to submit the required vouchers, assuring them that once received, payments would be made without further delay.

The discussion highlights a broader concern about payroll processing inefficiencies within government departments, particularly in sectors where overtime work is frequent. Browne emphasized that his administration remains committed to resolving the issue and ensuring that all outstanding payments are addressed promptly.