In a troubling development following the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup events in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, which took place from June 1st to June 29, 2024, numerous workers, including police officers, DJs, caterers, and other service providers, have raised serious complaints about not being compensated for their efforts. The situation has sparked widespread frustration and calls for accountability from the relevant authorities.
According to exclusive reports obtained by Asberth News Network (ANN), many police officers who provided crucial security services during the tournament have not received the promised payments. The officers were reportedly assured a compensation rate of $60 per hour for duties that spanned hotel security, practice matches, and game-day operations. However, despite their hard work, these officers have been left empty-handed.
One officer, speaking on the condition of anonymity, expressed deep concern about the financial strain caused by the non-payment, particularly as the school year approaches. “I was depending on that money to prepare my child for school,” she told ANN, adding that she now has to resort to a loan to cover essential expenses. Another officer described the situation as being treated like “fools” after their dedicated service.
Efforts to seek clarification and resolution from higher authorities have been met with dismissive responses, with some workers being told to “count this as a loss.” This response has only fueled the frustration among those affected.
The issue extends beyond the police force. DJs and other service providers have also voiced their grievances, noting that payments remain outstanding despite previous assurances. A prominent DJ informed ANN that, upon contacting a Cricket West Indies (CWI) official, they were told that payments would be processed by the end of July. However, as of August 10th, no payments have been received.
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, hosted by the West Indies, featured teams from around the world, including Australia, England, India, Pakistan, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies, among others. This payment dispute underscores a significant breach of contractual obligations and highlights the financial hardships faced by those who relied on this income. The affected workers and service providers are now demanding transparency and swift action from the responsible parties to ensure they receive the compensation they are rightfully owed.