Distressed workers at Bunker Security & Protection Limited on Collins Green Avenue in St Andrew are concerned that they are yet to receive their salaries a month after they became due.

One employee, who spoke on behalf of colleagues and who asked not to be identified, told the Jamaica Observer that the group has grown frustrated with repeated promises from management that they will be paid.

The latest promise came on Monday when employees were reportedly told that they would be paid by the end of the day.

That, however, did not materialise and several are said to have declared that they will not be returning to work until the matter is settled.

The Observer has also been reliably informed that the small security company has been acquired by one of the country’s leading security firms, a detail that has spiked anxiety among staff.

“We are so disgruntled,” the employee said, “the new company came here today with the CEO (chief executive officer) and they were just checking off the location and thing and everybody is just anxious. We just really distressed.”

The alleged site visit has sparked redundancy rumours, with workers speculating that they will be laid off come January.

“If the boss was saying anything to us we would understand the situation, but nobody respect us to even say anything to us. Tomorrow is one month; two fortnight and we still don’t get our money,” the worker said.

“We have bills to pay. Landlords threatening us. We have we loans and we have children to go to school. I have my people that depending on me. This is stressing, man. All now? And nobody see it fit to say this is the situation? This is bad. It’s just pure headache,” the worker added.

The staff member reported that some 50 workers have been affected by the delay in payments and said that a number of them have threatened protest action if there is a further delay with the disbursement of salaries.

“Wi want wi money, but wi not coming back to work and working for good name, because if wi not getting the pay that wi already work for one month it’s an additional week on the month. We need answers,” the worker insisted.

After several attempts to reach the company’s managing director, the Observer was eventually told by a representative that the managing director was not available for comment.

The Observer was later contacted by a man who identified himself as Maurice Steadman, the company accountant.

“We are aware of it. We are having an issue right now but the matter is being resolved. It is being worked on. We’re trying to see if we can have the problem sorted out this week,” he said.

The accountant did not share what “issue” the company is having or how management intends to resolve the matter.