The National Association of Institutional Suppliers has announced plans to picket the premises of the Ministry of Education over unpaid contracts from November 20 to 21, 2024.
“We are left with no choice but to serve this formal notice of our intention to picket the premises of the Ministry of Education from November 20 to 21, 2024 to ensure a clear plan for settling all unpaid contracts is presented”.
The Association has raised concern over the frustration they are facing because of the unpaid contracts related to the production of school uniforms and House dresses.
According to them, government has failed to fulfill its part of the agreement after producing and delivering uniforms to schools across the country, despite efforts to receive payments of arrears for 2022- 2023 and full payment of 2023-2024.
“Our attempts to seek clarity and resolution regarding these outstanding payments have yielded little to no response. The delay in settling these debts is putting immense financial pressure on our members, many of whom have had to incur significant costs to meet production demands, maintain equipment, and pay employees. This situation has now become unsustainable”.
NAIS added that, they have been made aware of the Ministry’s intention to deprive its members of future contracts.
“In addition to the issue of unpaid contracts, we have recently been made aware of the ministry of education’s potential intention to deprive NAIS members of future school uniform/ House Dress contracts.
Such a move would be detrimental to our association, undermining our capacity to contribute to the national education agenda. It also threatens the livelihoods of the many men and women employed by the various businesses within NAIS who have invested in the local garment industry for years.”
Read full statement below
