Overtime issues continue to plague the Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC), according to Executive Chairman Leslie Miller, who revealed there are about 44 employees who still received in excess of 100 percent of their salaries in the last 12 months.
Miller said overtime pay was cut by $4.3 million in the last 12 months, but problems persist.
"BEC workers must appreciate the fact they are no different from anyone else," he said.
"I mean, I can show you some figures right now with our overtime for last year. We were able to cut overtime down for the last 12 months by $4.3 million, and even despite the $4.3 million decrease you have persons at BEC right now as we speak, who in the last 12 months, have taken home in excess of $60,000.
"The overtime is still $7 million. And many people in BEC, 44 of them, I think, have gotten overtime in excess of 100 percent of their salary."
Miller said the number is "unacceptable in any country in this world".
Asked how that happened, Miller said, "We have some inherent problems that we need to deal with."
The average BEC workers makes in excess of $40,000 per annum, according to Miller.
Earlier this year, BEC implemented a rostering and flexi-time system, but months later, the system has yet to be fully introduced.
The system is expected to significantly reduce overtime pay once fully implemented.
Overtime pay last year exceeded $11.8 million, according to a report conducted by auditors.
Asked if the high overtime costs have anything to do with insufficient staff, Miller said no.
"The problem at BEC is that over the last 30 years there was this inherent situation of entitlement -- 'I work for BEC, I own BEC'," Miller said.
He said some workers believe that BEC belongs to them and not the Bahamian people.
But President of the Bahamas Electrical Workers Union (BEWU) Stephano Greene said there are staffing issues.
"There is a desperate need for staffing at BEC," Greene said.
"There are persons who supported Mr. Miller in his efforts to reduce overtime. But the problem with overtime right now is staffing. There are areas that because of lack of staff, the persons have to work additional hours."
He said there is a shortage of staff in some of the Family Islands and in the maintenance department.
Greene said he would support BEC bringing in additional workers.
"If relief doesn't come they have to work additional hours," he said.
While the union supports the hiring of additional staff, it does not support the rostering system.
In March, scores of BEC line staff workers protested outside the corporation's Baillou Hill headquarters over the implementation of the shift system in the customer service department.
Greene claimed the system is in breach of the union's industrial agreement.
In recent months, Miller has locked horns with the corporation's unions over various financial issues, including what he called double-dipping sick pay and Christmas bonuses he said BEC cannot afford.
However, Greene claimed yesterday that management has advised that the staff will get the bonuses.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian