Before the break we told you about the new Cabinet ministers and the suggestion that until they get sworn in as area representatives, they can't be ministers.
One thing we do know is that until they are sworn in - they cannot collect their pay as area reps. And that's bad news for the four elected PUP's who did not get into Cabinet.
But those who did - they are collecting a fair package of salaries plus allowances - exactly the same thing that their predecessors got. And the Public Service Union surely isn't going to be too happy about it.
An internal memo from Narda Garcia, the New CEO in the Office of the Prime Minister, outlines the salaries that ministers and ministers of state will receive.
7News has obtained a copy of the memo, dated, December 1st, and it says that Ministers will be paid $81,000 annually. They will also get allowances for housing and entertainment of $19,200, and they will be paid $12,000 for telephone expenses - a total package of 112,200 - which isn't too bad in this town. Add to that the four thousand monthly which they received directly as community vote - and you have annual receipts of 160 thousand dollars.
Ministers of state will get a salary of $54,000. Their allowance for housing and entertainment will also be $19,200. They will also get $12,000 for telephone expenses - for a total package of $85,200.
The silent outrage over these figures and fat allowances is grounded in the fact that public officers are attempting to engage in a tough conversation with the government about cost-saving measures to survive the COVID-induced financial crisis that the country is facing.
Again, we note that the emoluments and allowances package is the same that their UDP predecessors received.
