PARAMARIBO – The chairman of the Organization of Bus and Boat Owners in Suriname (OBS), Antonius Pokie, recently presented an ultimatum to the government over delayed payments. The government has until Wednesday to pay the union members. If it fails to comply, the bus and boat owners will go on strike.

The union chairman explained that the last payment to union members was in August. In both August and September, the bus and boat owners only received payment for the days they worked, meaning they were not paid for the second half of August or for September, as children and teachers do not attend school during the summer vacation.

Although they resumed work in October, the owners were not paid at the end of the month. The OBS pointed out that the government has not made any payments in the past three months. Pokie further explained that the buses and boats required maintenance during the summer vacation, and the maintenance costs are high.

The OBS is also awaiting a response to a letter regarding a proposed bus fare hike, which was sent to the Ministry of Education, Science, and Culture on October 29th. If the ministry does not respond by Friday, the OBS will hold a union meeting to decide on the next course of action.

“We have tried to keep talking to the government but it did not seem that necessary which is why we must discuss the issue at a union meeting,” said Chairman Pokie who added that he hopes that the government will make the payments before Thursday.