NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Minister of Health Dr. Duane Sands on Tuesday refuted the contents of a memo that was reportedly circulating over the weekend, which asserted that Princess Margaret Hospital employees who had worked overtime during the month of December will not be paid for those extra hours.
Speaking to reporters before heading to the weekly Cabinet meeting, Sands clarified the contents of the issued memo.
“There was a memo that was circulated over the weekend suggesting that there would be no overtime paid for overtime worked in December.
“I can say to you categorically that the staff, nurses, line staff, etc will be paid their overtime,” Sands assured.
“This was an aggressive response to try and reduce challenges with deficits by individuals without the ratification of the senior management, so let me say it again, overtime worked during December will be paid this month.”
Meanwhile, Bahamas Public Services Union (BPSU) President Kimsley Ferguson told Eyewitness News that they are hoping to hear from PHA’s managing director Kathryn Weech on the issued memo, and it is important that they adhere to the existing industrial agreement.
“According to our industrial agreement, it indicates that all overtime that is worked will be paid before the end of the following month. The overtime that we are speaking of now is those that worked from October to December,” Ferguson said, adding that he is only hoping for dialogue.
“It is important that they [the PHA] adhere to this agreement. We want to remind employees that we will not stand by idly. We are going to be there for our members every step of the way.”
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Apryl Sands also contributed to this article.
