Non-payment for services rendered

Nov 13, 2008 Letters

Dear Editor,
As a parent and concerned Guyanese, I am writing to follow up on the non-payment of some drivers who worked during the Carifesta celebration.

Contrary to the announcement made by the President of Guyana that some artistes were paid and others would be paid shortly, people are still awaiting payments.

My son has fallen a victim to this failed promise of payment for services rendered at the end of the event.
For approximately four weeks he gave of his service from early in the mornings to late in the evenings, driving delegates to and from the airport, to various events, hotels or wherever they resided at the time.

During this time all gasoline and maintenance expenses were met out of pocket. No advance payment or a stipend was given.

Over the last two years he has been unemployed and struggling to gain meaningful employment. Despite being certified in Computer technology, completed course at Critchlow Labour College and having clerical experience, etc, on his resume, employment is still scarce.

How frustrating and disappointing it must be for someone to respond to the cause of helping to make CARIFESTA X a success, with the expectations of being compensated as promised, and to date almost three months after still no payment.

Now that the CARIFEISTA Committee has been dissolved and the Ministry of Finance is handling the affairs, can’t they pay these people?

Several trips had been made to inquire about payment and the same response is given: no money provided so far, no directive has been given to pay, you have to wait or check back.

Is this good principle in a democratic society as ours? Not everyone likes to join a picket line to get attention to a cause. I do hope that the tally sheets do not disappear during this time of waiting.

Now what must these people do? Has anyone in authority considered how they are getting a meal if any, how they are meeting expenses incurred, how are they to survive on a whole?

Cost of living in Guyana is very very hard along with all the social problems facing the country.
To those in authority please take some action and consideration.
Concerned Parent

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