Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis pictured on Friday.
By SYANN THOMPSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
sthompson@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Hubert Minnis confirmed on Friday that junior doctors would be paid the $1,400 lump sum.
There was confusion as to whether all junior doctors would be paid or only those “permanent and pensionable” according to a letter from Public Hospitals Authority deputy managing director Lyrone Burrows.
During the Bahamas Power and Light Wartsilla plant opening, Prime Minister Minnis told reporters that he has repeatedly confirmed the various government workers who will be paid.
“When I spoke, I spoke multiple times about who was going to get the payout – nurses, doctors, immigration, defence force, police force and detention, and that remains firm. I don’t know exactly how they did the distribution. I clarified which ones was getting it and that was done,” said PM Minnis. When asked if junior doctors were getting paid, the prime minister said, “Yes they did.”
The Public Hospitals Authority issued a letter on Friday addressed to the Bahamas Doctors Union president, Dr Melisande Bassett, retracting their December 19 letter. The new letter signed by Ms Burrows said: “I am to advise that all Junior Doctors will be eligible for the lump sum payment. It has also been agreed that there will be no pro rating of amounts paid.”
The letter continued: “We do wish to advise, however, that due to the lateness of this decision, there will be delay in the settlement of the lump sum payment to the junior doctors and the PHA apologises for the delay.”
Minister of State for Public Services Brensil Rolle outlined which government workers can expect the lump sum. They include Bahamas Public Service Union members, teachers, permanent weekly paid staff, uniformed branches, Public Hospitals Authority staff, including doctors and nurses – this does not include consultant doctors. Those not included in this list are other government authorities and corporations, members of the Judiciary branch, contract workers hired outside the Public Service Commission, the 52-week programme employees, air traffic controllers, ministers and members of parliament.
On Thursday, Minister of Health Dr Duane Sands said all doctors, including those on contract and interns, would receive the lump sum payment after a PHA letter only identified “permanent and pensionable” who are eligible for payment. Dr Sands said the letter was an instance of misinterpretation and miscommunication by the PHA.
“The letter has been rescinded, I have given assurances that all will get their money and the BDU received an apology for the miscommunication," he said.
Dr Sands explained earlier: “When money first came from (Ministry of) Finance, doctors and nurses were not included. The prime minister explicitly said doctors and nurses will get $1,400 but the payroll went out and it didn’t include that for them so on (Wednesday) we would’ve made a correction so I was shocked when I saw the letter circulating because we had spent hours rectifying the matter.”
On Facebook, Dr Sands replied to the issue stating: “All junior doctors will receive the promised payment and efforts are being made to ensure that they receive it in the next few days.”
Comments
Well_mudda_take_sic 4 years, 10 months ago
20,000 people on government related/connected payroll times $1,400 per employee equates to $28 million ($28,000,000).
And Robin Hood Minnis thinks to himself: "Dis my way of makin' sure da few wealthier Peters a/k/a da 'Haves' give to my many poorer Pauls a/k/a da 'Have Nots' dis Festive Holiday Season. But come da New Year, both da Peters and da Pauls gonna hav' ta pay for ma generosity wit some serious new taxes."
stillwaters 4 years, 10 months ago
Doctors seem to have been out in the same basket as teachers and police officers......poorly paid and unappreciated.....so sad after all the money they invest into becoming doctors.
TalRussell 4 years, 10 months ago
For the government workers this Christmas be forever recalled as the Christmas Papa Fweda stole from all 22,000 them! Puzzling how Imperialists red shirts govern over the colony's business and affairs. First, the Health Minister announced that most certainly ALL doctors would be getting the $1,400. lump sum cheques Secondly, PM Papa Fweda reconfirmed that All doctors be getting the $1,400 lump sum. Thirdly, rolls along the colony's Minister with responsibility over the National Insurance Board (NIB), Brensil who said that indeed there will payout of $1,400 lump sum ao not only ALL doctors but also All 22,000 government workers be's getting that lump sum $1,400. Fourthly, minister Brensil says that he got it ALL wrong about ALL 22,000 government workers getting the $1,400 lump sum. You can't make the Fifthly promise up, you just. can't, because the only cheques going out anyone be's a cheque amounting for $30.
joeblow 4 years, 10 months ago
I wonder what John Q public gets in return, other than the bill!
bogart 4 years, 10 months ago
John Q public will get a host of situations like lack of enthusiasm from those not getting. Given same senarios exist in all other areas like Doctors like some being junior, not permanent on contract, some contracted present junior roles doing senior roles and more increased roles and for years not adjusted and any combinations in all Govt. All sorts of dynamics will rise within work force with some known working harder, less, more responsible, some more qualified but not eligible, doing two roles, not without soon to be assistance never happjnin, some labeled from one party getting money, and others not - hehehehe, some financially more secure getting and some in less fortunate not and many being demoraIzed and some harbouring discontent. Even those by instruction rewarded have feelings on deserving others who do not. Loyts dynamics created likely negatives to all mostly John Q public. Surprised Union officials been in the trenches labour force sitting on common known knowledge rewarding some and some not and Union Officials keeping secret to themselves.
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