This Friday will be another payless payday for “nonessential” government employees and some of them are now complaining about it.
A government employee told Variety the administration should not wait until people “start stealing.”
“Maybe they can pay the cops who will catch us,” said the angry employee who requested anonymity.
Eloy Dela Cruz, another employee, said he managed to stretch his last paycheck so he can cope with another payless payday.
People, Dela Cruz added, may have to get used to getting their salary five days after payday.
Demapan said in the next fiscal year, which starts on Oct. 1, even the passage of a new budget does not guarantee that government employees will get their paychecks on time.
The $132 million budget proposal is a spending figure, not cash in the bank, he added.
“So, it is always safe to be prepared. Expect the unexpected because the unexpected is becoming the expected right now,” he said.
On Friday, the salaries of the critical and federally funded personnel will be directly deposited into the employees’ bank accounts, he added.
It’s going to be the same for non-critical employees who are likely to get their salaries on Wednesday next week.
During the two previous payless Fridays, the government employees received paper checks.
But a better system in the Department of Finance is now in place, and employees can get their salaries through their bank accounts.
The “critical” personnel are those with Public Health, Public Safety, Corrections, the school system, Northern Marianas College and federally funded programs.
