Tint inspection workers frustrated by pay delay

A group of young tint-testing officers in Barbados has raised concerns over significant delays in their wage payments, with some reporting they have not been paid for over two months. The Barbados Licensing Authority (BLA) has been criticized for poor communication, leaving the officers without clear answers. An investigation by Barbados TODAY revealed that several payments were mistakenly deposited into the wrong bank account, prompting the BLA to request reversals from the financial institution. The officers, stationed at the National Cultural Foundation’s car park, were contracted from September to December and are supposed to be paid fortnightly. However, seven out of nine officers have received only three payments instead of five, while two others have faced even greater delays, with one officer receiving only one payment and another, a 24-year-old mother of two, not receiving any payment since starting the job. The mother expressed her frustration, stating that she has bills to pay and children to support. She received a letter from the BLA confirming the error and requesting the bank to return the funds, but questioned why she was assured weeks ago that the issue was being resolved. The workers, mostly in their early 20s, feel they are being taken advantage of due to their age. They have called for better communication and clarity on when they will be paid. The BLA has acknowledged the error in a letter to CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank, requesting urgent assistance to reverse the payments. The workers continue to seek answers and progress in resolving the issue.