KINGSTON, Jamaica — Some categories of staff at primary healthcare facilities in Manchester, Clarendon and St Elizabeth have taken industrial action over uniform allowances owed to them by the Manchester Health Department for 2015/2016.

The workers, who had threatened to strike two Fridays ago if the health department did not pay up, called in sick this morning. Vice President of the National Workers Union (NWU), which represents the workers, told OBSERVER ONLINE a short while ago that the workers are demanding a timeline for receipt of their monies, which were to be paid for the period in lieu of uniform material.

Grant said the funds were approved for payment from April 2016 but to date no payments have been forthcoming from the Manchester Health Department. He said claims that the Southern Regional Health Authority had sent the costing to the Ministry of Health, have been disproved.

Brown insists that the workers would not let up until the authorities provide a satisfactory commitment to pay. Among the affected staff are community health care aides, drivers, attendants, patient care assistants, and psychiatric nursing assistants.

Alphea Saunders