National Reforestation workers have so far received five of the seven outstanding fortnight payments which was able to bring some relief over the Christmas holidays from some.
The money was enough to ensure that one Marabella single, mother of five, and her children did not spend the Christmas holidays in the dark.
Jahrilyn Harry, of Batoo Lands, Marabella, was not only able to get her electrical supply re-connected, but to also purchase gifts for her children, ages 11 to two.
Harry is among 2,275 workers who had been protesting late payment of salaries since September.
However, she said while bills had been foremost on her mind, her first stop after getting paid was to head to the supermarket for food items.
“We spent a good Christmas, I went straight to the grocery and it was nice being able to buy enough food to last awhile and not worry about what I would have to feed my children by the next day,” she said in a telephone interview yesterday.
Harry said she was ecstatic when she was able to purchase dolls and footwear for her daughters, as well as toy trucks and clothing for her sons.
“It was worth the wait, seeing them smiling, well-fed and happy on Christmas morning,” she stated.
She was mindful of assistance given to her family by her father Ricardo Slater, her younger sister and her children’s paternal aunt.
“On behalf of all forestry group workers, we want to say thanks to the media for highlighting our plight and what we were facing, and for being instrumental in getting people to hear our cry and Government to do something about it,” stated Harry.
She said she remained ever indebted to her landlady, who demonstrated patience and compassion, while she waited for government to release the funds.
She added that they have been assured the total amount of outstanding payments would be sent to their accounts by December 31.
To date, the workers have continued working across the country, following the assurance of Agriculture Minister, Clarence Rambharat, that the programme will not be stopped.
Contractor Laurentson Special, confirmed the five payments reaching his workers, but did not commit to Harry’s claim that they would be paid the balance before year’s end.
In previous reports, Special had stated that he too was feeling the pinch and not just the workers.
Yesterday, Special said, while he had taken smaller private jobs to take care of his family, he was grateful to the Government for releasing the funds.