IPNew-Monrovia,Liberia-27 July 2018: Beach sanitation workers under the Maritime ‘Clean beach & water way project’, are demanding thirteen months’ salary payment.
According to the workers most of whom are boys commonly known as ‘Zogos’, resisted the audience of President George Weah in demand of their payment.
“We are tired ! Everyday no money and the former government put the money in the budget for us but now this new government don’t want to pay us.” An angry protestant (zogo) told the Independent Newspaper.
According to the workers, although it was during the past government of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, yet government is continuity and the government under the leadership of President George Weah must pay them.
In an interview with some of the workers today at the SKD Sport Complex, they told this paper that the government of President Weah assured them following his election and subsequent inauguration that they would be paid but up to current nothing is been done to address their concerns.
“The act of the government is wicked, it shows no love for us and the ‘Pro-Poor agenda’. We thought the ‘pro-poor agenda is in the interest of the poor people but look at what is happening to us”. Another worker added.”
In their grievance expressed, the workers made reference to the passed government by allocating money in the last budget under the former president but since the inception of the pro-poor government they have only received April 2018 payment with the other thirteen months yet to be paid by government.
“We voted this government into power to straighten up everything that has been going wrong by the former government under madam Sirleaf but they trying to take us as fools.”
The workers further stated that, ‘ we want our pay today or else we die right here because school is about to open our children need to go to school while your children oversee attending good schools’ they blasted .
The workers alleged that out of 46million Liberian dollars purportedly allocated by the Ministry of Finance for their payment, only twenty-nine (29) million of that money has been disbursed to them.
They further alleged that government told them it would pay seven (7) months out of the thirteen months but was subsequently reduced to two (2) months for payment following negotiations before the July 26 Independence Day celebrations but failed to make any payment.
But contrary to claims by the ‘beach and water way sanitation workers, Youth and Sports, Minister, D. Zogar Wilson said, this problem of payment for ‘beach and water way worker have an old age problem which the government is committed to setting but call for patience in allowing government properly disburse the money owed the workers.
Minister Wilson explained the previous government refused to pay her workers bringing so much pressure on the new government which inherited nothing and it was important people begin to know these things.
“ The government remain committed to paying these workers who are young Liberians because they worked for it and we will leave anyone out but we have to exercise patience here.”
“As you well know, it is high time right now and we are doing all it takes to meeting this challenge. Finance Ministry agreed to make two months before the Independence Day but to my ultimate surprised only one month was disbursed.”
He explained that the Ministry of Youth and Sports is currently working with the Ministry of Finance to ensure a speedy payment of the workers but calls for patience in addressing the situation.
“We will make sure each of you be paid. Why will you work and your government will not want to pay you? But we ask you exercise patience and you shall get your salary.
