Landscaper says church has treated him badly

A landscaper, who resides in May Pen, Clarendon, is accusing a church in the town of refusing to pay him for landscaping work done at the church, among other uncharitable acts.

Warren Gray, 54, told THE STAR that he has been employeed by the church since 2020, but has been subjected to mistreatment, which includes depriving him of the monies owed to him for the service provided. According to Gray, his relationship with the church has deteriorated over time.

"They boss me around ... push me around, having me doing extra work for the same base pay," said Gray, who noted that his situation worsened in October when he suffered an on-the-job injury and they refused to pay him during the period he was forced to be off the job.

"The wacker hit a nail while I was cutting and the nail flew into my leg through the boot," said Gray, who said that despite seeking immediate medical attention, the injury got worse, which resulted in him being hospitalised as doctors had to surgically drain an infection from his leg.

"During this period of distress, I received no compensation for the injury sustained on the job. But, nonetheless, I returned to my duties in January, albeit with persistent pain," explained Gray. "Since then, I have not received any wages for my labour...from January to March, leaving me and my family facing financial problems."

With 11 children and his wife, who is the one now balancing the financial load, Gray's situation has become desperate, and he is pleading with the church to honour their payment obligation to him, noting that he is owed $40,000 for two days of work, describing his task of maintaining the church property as arduous.

Gray said he tried to have the matter resolved through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the Restorative Justice Centre, but his efforts have been futile, as a member of the church's management committee, has refuted his claim. When THE STAR contacted the member, she vehemently denied Gray's claim, saying he was not being truthful. She also said the church did not have a contract with him to provide the services he claimed he has been doing.

"He was not a contracted worker... we owe him nothing," said the woman, who said Gray's claims are baseless. "He has no contract to work with us alone...he provides sporadic service and [is] compensated accordingly... the church provided financial assistance to him out of 'mere sympathy' for his alleged medical expenses."

However, Gray remains steadfast in his pursuit of justice, saying his claims are genuine and deserving of attention, even through exposure in the media.

"The thing is these people say they are Christians. I don't know why they are ignoring me when I have worked hard, and I know I am not telling any lies on them."