No wage increase says PM

Public Servants who were anticipating a wage increase at the end of this month will have to wait a bit longer.{{more}}

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves made the announcement at a press briefing on Tuesday, June 22 that the present fiscal situation does not allow for provisions to be made for an additional 2 per cent wage increase at this time.

“I do not believe that we are in a position yet where we can pay an additional 2 per cent,” the Prime Minister said.

“If it turns out by September I can do it, then I will do it,” he added.

Public servants had been hoping for an increase in salaries; however Dr. Gonsalves made it clear at last Tuesday’s media briefing that the anticipated increase was based on the whether or not the fiscal situation had improved.

Dr. Gonsalves contended that his government was moving to stabilize the revenue and fiscal situation.

But despite the fact that persons may have to wait a bit longer for a possible wage increase, Dr. Gonsalves contended that there was very little to be disgruntled about.

“The public servants understand what is going on; the police have enjoyed an average increase of 65 per cent, teachers aren’t far,” the Prime Minister contended.

Coupled with an increase on three separate occasions in the minimum wage, an increase in the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP); an increase in the threshold for income earners in the private sector and an increase in the public sector investment programme; these were all indications that the government was taking care of the working people, the Prime Minister said.