but several groups within the government’s workforce still earn a salary that is below minimum wage. Especially cleaning ladies are shockingly underpaid. A huge group of civil servants is still at the same low salary level despite the fact that there is no demand for that many workers who have only received a low level education. The problem is bigger because it is not limited to the cleaning services only.

Justice and Police Minister Harish Monorath confirmed the situation and acknowledged that the members of the cleaning department do not receive a salary that is in accordance with the law. “All of my cleaning ladies are in scale 3A. That means that they earn SRD 3,065 per month,” said Minister Monorath. “And they receive SRD 500 in welfare. That figure is in violation of minimum wage,” said the minister who also has a law degree. The minister explained that there is a huge backlog in promotions, improvement in legal positions and salary adjustments for these workers.

Other ministries also face similar problems. At some of the departments cleaning ladies were promoted to higher positions shortly before the general elections which is why those ministries currently have a shortage of these workers.

Social Affairs and Housing Minister Diana Pokie has already mentioned this issue. “I have no cleaning ladies at the Ministry,” said Minister Pokie.