By Lamin Njie
At least 50 employees of Brikama Area Council have had their salary dues for March withheld by the government.
Reports have emerged the affected officials most of them security officers have in fact been sacked by the BAC.
BAC spokesman Lamin Singhateh told The Fatu Network the officials have not been sacked.
“It’s not about unlawful dismissal, it’s as a result of a communique that was sent to council from the ministry’s [of local government’s] local government service commission advising the council not to pay these staff, salary for the month of March,” Mr Singhateh said.
The staff comprise officials who were hired by Brikama Area Council even after the ministry of local government advised it against the idea.
Mr Singhateh said: “In terms of appointment, the council has to seek approval from the ministry particularly the local government service commission.
“An approval was sought but at that time what was advised was for council hold on not to go ahead with it but then the former CEO decided to on with it. They have worked for almost one year now since February 2019 up to date.
“So it was in March that this communication was sent from the ministry to the council not to go ahead and pay them March salary.”
