P.S.U. Says Area Rep Funds Go Unchecked

Gerald Henry

Of concern for the Public Service Union is the fact that a definitive timeline has not been set for when a reduction in the salaries of ministers and other high-level government officials comes into effect.  Coupled with that, says P.S.U. President Gerald Henry, is also the fact that community votes are never audited.  That’s an additional seven thousand dollars monthly that he says area representatives have at their disposal that go unaccounted for each month.

Gerald Henry, President, P.S.U.

“Another issue that we have is there was no indication given to us as to when the reduction of salaries for ministers, ministers of state and the area representatives would have come into effect and again, also how long those reductions would last.  We only knew about ours, we did not know when that would cease for them. The ministers receive approximately seven thousand dollars a month for both an office and also for their community vote which is to assist the members of their constituency, you know, but those monies are never audited.  I am an auditor for twenty-seven years and we have never ever audited those funds.  We have always put it forward but unfortunately the powers that be always make sure that we never get there.  So that is seven thousand dollars every month.  So when they cut their salaries by fifteen percent, they have access to seven thousand dollars that we don’t have the slightest idea what they use it for.  There are some of them who claim that they have offices and when you go there it’s a little room and you might find a desk, but they are paying or they are saying that they are paying whatever the amount of money that they give them for the rental, that is going towards this little room.”