Government breaching promise with bonus – Dr. Gonsalves

THE MONEY PROMISED to public servants as a bonus to be paid this month is a “breach of promise” says Opposition Leader Dr. Ralph Gonsalves who said last week that the New Democratic Party (NDP) promised one thing during the election campaign and now wants to give something else. On a radio last December, Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday said government would give a salary bonus to public servants as an equity-based cost-of-living relief measure, aimed at providing the greatest benefit to those at the lower end of the pay scale.

However, throughout the election campaign what was promised was double.

Dr. Friday has proceeded to shed light on the issue stating that it will be double pay particularly for those at the lowest end of the salary scale but others will get a salary bonus.

Commenting on the salary issue at a press conference on January, 6,2026 at the Unity Labour Party’s Richmond Hill headquarters, Dr. Gonsalves said that he heard Prime Minister Dr. Friday say they never said there was going to be a bonus salary.

“…well, I’m telling you that in truth, they not only had it in a document, but I heard speakers from the platform of the NDP talk about a bonus salary.

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