The Tribune

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS

Tribune Staff Reporter

lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denied politically victimising a former contract worker, saying a salary dispute she described at an FNM rally last week was administrative in nature and unrelated to politics.

At the Free National Movement’s Southern Zone meeting, Celina Rolle, a Youth Torchbearer, alleged she was treated unfairly after returning from study leave to find herself saddled with a $20,000 debt.

“My story is one of injustice,” she said. “After securing study leave, I returned home only to find out that I was slapped with a $20,000 debt. I was told that I had to repay $20,000 of my salary. Barely 22 years old and being that I had $20,000 on my head –– powerful. I worked for months on end without receiving pay. Meanwhile, political appointees received pay simply because of who they knew.”

She claimed her concerns were ignored by officials, leaving her without income and unable to pay bills. She said she ultimately left her government job despite being offered a contract renewal.

In a statement yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the matter involved an overpayment during her study leave — which was supposed to be leave without pay — and that efforts to recover the sum were routine.

“The public service record shows that the former officer proceeded on what was supposed to have been study leave without pay, except by inadvertence, she was paid her full salary during the period of study leave. This was a sum to which she knew she was not entitled. The sum had to be recovered as a result,” the ministry said.

It added that Ms Rolle resigned after disagreeing with repayment terms, and the sum remains outstanding.

In a Facebook post, Ms Rolle later reflected on her experience, writing: “I realised that telling my story is way bigger than myself. Someone needs to hear it.”