FLA workers take industrial action over pay issues

By Halshane Burke    

 

Operations at the Firearm Licensing Authority (FLA) ground to a halt Tuesday morning after several employees reportedly called in sick.

 

A number of licensed firearm holders and bird shooters turned up at the offices of the FLA to discover the gates locked.

 

Radio Jamaica News was informed that the workers are upset over the length of time it is taking to resolve the issues surrounding their compensation.

 

Techa Clarke Griffiths, President of the Jamaica Civil Service Association (JCSA), said the decision to delay payment of contract workers under the compensation review has angered the workers as it has denied them the right to equal treatment. 

 

"You have one set of workers who are on contract who are not getting the same pay as those who are not on contract. And so that is creating an issue. So they are paid less with effect from April 2022," she said.  

 

"We are aware that the government has commenced the process of putting some staff in some entities on employment, but there are some in other entities who have not yet commenced that process. And so that is complicating the issue. So the issue in the FLA is not just unique to the FLA, it is right across the government service," noted Mrs Clarke Griffiths.   

 

The JCSA president said the union has not been given the opportunity to meet with members and potential members of the FLA despite several attempts. 

 

Mrs Clarke Griffiths said she will be organising a meeting with the FLA staff for them to voice their concerns. 

 

She is hopeful that the meeting will be held before the end of the week.