RATED programme workers waiting too long for pay
Second District Representative Melvin ‘Mitch’ Turnbull has again called for serious upgrades to the government’s RATED programme, saying participants are frustrated by the length of time it takes to receive their pay.
The RATED programme is an initiative of the Dr Natalio Wheatley administration. It provides short-term employment to youth across the territory. But Turnbull said his constituents have been contacting him to lodge complaints about the payments they are owed for work done under the programme.
“As members (of the House of Assembly), even though we are not responsible for the RATED programme, the people in our community are going to look to us for help. You can’t have young persons — male or female — working, cutting bush and other things and two-and-a-half months later, they can’t get paid. That is not right,” Turnbull said in the House of Assembly on December 18.
He added that he will not be recommending anyone else to work under the RATED programme until the compensation issues are resolved.
“You give them all the things they have to do — sign up, bring all IDs, social security, walk with a machete, etc. When they do the work, they are complimented but when it’s time to get paid, they are being told about this office, that ministry, and the treasury. That’s not right, That’s not how we treat people. Fix the programme — put the money and the people in the programme,” Turnbull told the government.
Since its inception, the government said the RATED programme has more than 50 people who have landed jobs in the areas of administration, customer service, data entry and sanitation. He also added that government departments are willing to hire persons long-term if the opportunity arises.
Opposition members constantly criticise the programme, saying it isn’t enough to solve the employment issues within the community. Premier Wheatley has accepted the criticism an has stated that more is being done to make the programme more efficient and responsive to the needs of the community.
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He first needs to explain how he could confuse the sound of cheeks clapping with gunshots. When he addresses this, then I will listen to what he has to say
Ahhh the BVI never changes.
When will this young man do something of substance rather than complaining all the time? 12yrs elected, 0 accomplishments.
Now the RATED workers know how the ex pat private sector feels when BVI government owes them money. Same old excuse the government needs something NOW but somehow it takes years to pay for the item.
well we all know most if not all of them only doing an acting job ,and some are very good at it ( aka) making it look real •¿• and the people voted for him again , so if they love it , we can’t blame him or be mad at him / plus all the holy men comes from the same area , need I say more ❓️