The New Mayor of San Juan, Miguel Romero, who takes office this morning, assured that he will take the necessary administrative measures so that the municipality is not forced to pay high amounts of liquidations to its employees, as happened with the former mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz, who has received a payout of more than $ 54,000 in recent weeks for accrued vacation and sick days.
Romero said he has basically no problem with government officials charging the money to which they are entitled, but stressed that planning is necessary to avoid the excessive accumulation of these licenses.
“I have not had the opportunity to investigate that. The settlements, if you were entitled to it and everything was done correctly, you wouldn’t have any problem. Now, in our case and the way I want to administer San Juan, I am going to make sure that the executive officers have their plans and take their vacation to avoid what has happened now“That’s not only $ 54,000 from the mayor’s liquidation, but that $ 1.2 million was to be set aside for the liquidations of 36 workers,” said Romero.
This outlet reported a week ago that Carmen Serrano, a Cruz press officer, had received more than $ 100,000 in licensing liquidation.
“I may think that in the case of the mayor or mayor, it is an official who sees limited days he can take on vacation, but I think the rest of the officials need planning. If we hadn’t had to liquidate $ 1.2 million now, it would be $ 1.2 million that could be used to buy the equipment, excavators needed, repair the truck and heavy vehicle fleet, and buy asphalt. I think that also indicates, and I mean in terms of totality, I don’t want to personalize it, that about thirty employees when they are liquidated ($ 1.2 million) are on average over $ 30,000 and that draws my attention, Added Romero, a former senator and former labor minister.
Cruz himself disclosed the balance due for vacation and sick leave last Monday.
“Before a council official leaked this document as if it were illegal, I had shown my liquidation of the San Juan council. You can object to the liquidation, but it is the law and no one who receives your liquidation is committing an unlawful act, ” said the former mayor, who stepped down on December 31.