KINGSTON, Jamaica — The National Worker’s Union (NWU) is calling on the Ministry of Health and Wellness to honour its payment obligation to its third-party contractor, Milestone Environmental Ltd, so as to facilitate the payment of workers’ salaries.

The union said for the last few pay cycles, the Western Regional Health Authority has had to supplement these payments in order to maintain normality. 

However, the union said things have come to a head at this point and “normalcy can no longer be guaranteed”. 

“Again, this month, it is our understanding that Milestone Environmental Ltd has not been paid by the ministry and is unable to yet again meet its obligation of salaries to unionised workers stationed at the Cornwall Regional Hospital,” the union noted in a release today.

The union said the non-payment of these salaries threatens the livelihood and survival of these employees and may result in them not being able to carry out their duties.  It said this will mean that an already overcrowded and ill-equipped hospital will be further compromised.

“We are calling on the minister and the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health and Wellness to act expeditiously and deal with this matter,” the union said.