Full pay for half-day’s work is not value for money, says Pringle, who lays blame on Public Works minister

Leader of the Opposition Jamale Pringle says that the people of Antigua and Barbuda are being burdened with taxes while paying for work that is not being done.

Pringle says the public should be aware that, while the Gaston Browne Administration is taxing them out of existence, some government employees are unable to put in a full day’s work. 

They work for half the day but enjoy full-time pay, he notes.

However, he was quick to point out that he does not blame these workers, since the Browne Administration is not providing a sanitary and safe work environment nor their required resources.

Pringle says he is not against people being paid for the work they perform; but getting value for money is  critical.

Meanwhile, the Opposition leader says the minister of Public Works appears to be missing in action – given all the issues with government buildings, which are the Ministry of Works’ responsibility to maintain.

Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle.

Certain staff at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre – that is, those not directly responsible for patient care – were the most recent government employees to go on reduced hours, this time because the air-conditioning system is out of order.

Before that, staff at the High Court went on half-day work because of the poor air quality and mold in the building.

And sources say that employees at the General Post Office have been on reduced hours for months now.

In the meantime, one Observer tells REAL News she is still waiting for the Public Works minister to repair the official residence of former Prime Minister Sir V.C. Bird – her grandfather – which she promised to do with funds from her charity about seven years ago.