THE Department of Social Services is speaking out over what it claims to be “years of systematic neglect”, including staff shortages, limited internet access, no health insurance or risk allowance, and a myriad of other problems. Employees of the Health Social Services Division said yesterday that eleven technical officers have to see more than 500 clients a week, leaving staff overworked. Welfare officer, Carolyn Perpall explained: “We’ve had co-workers who have passed, who have expired, we’ve had persons who have transferred out and for whatever reason, we have staff members who have health issues – and so for the most part, we have persons out a whole lot. That means now, that the ones who are at work, their work is now multiplied.

“The other day I almost had a stroke; my left side was weakened and everything. I was carrying files home to try to compensate to make up for being not able to do the work during the day because I have to see the clients that come in so I couldn’t get the work out that I already presently have. “Right now, my desk is piled up. I’m already behind, I know any minute now my supervisor could say something. I’m really behind with my work. The staff shortage is one of the main things that we are facing here.”

On top of that workload, the employees say, nearly half the staff at the location has not yet been made permanent – with some employees having held temporary status for decades through the work assistance programme. Patrice Roberts said she’s been on the work programme for 18 years, Raquel Davis for six, and Sherryann Johnson said she’s been on the unemployment work assistance programme for more than 20 years. “I get no benefits,” Ms Johnson said. “My concern is, being on the bus stop about 6:30am to be to work for 7am, today or tomorrow something happen to me – my kids get nothing... If I was to die, my kids would get nothing.

Click here to read more at The Tribune