2 days ago, we showed Prime Minister John Briceno's comments on his meeting with the IMF, on how the country's economy performed under his government's home-grown recovery plan. He said that he made the point that part of that major bounce back from the devastation that came with the COVID pandemic was the major sacrifice that teachers and public officers continue to make.
They have tried their best to balance their personal finances despite contending with that 10% pay cut for the current fiscal year that's coming to a close. The Joint Unions Negotiating Team and the Government met on Wednesday to discuss the pay cut in the context of the country's improving financial position, and early indications are that the government is considering a process to return their salaries.
We've seen a circular from the Public Service Union to its membership which says, quote, "...The GoB has committed to restoring the 10% gradually within the new fiscal year… The Cabinet will finalize its position on the matter during its working retreat on February 24 and 25..." End quote.
That's significant progress, when compared to a few months ago when the Ministers of Government would avoid giving a direct answer to that question, whenever the press raised it. Today, we spoke via telephone with PSU President Dean Flowers on the commitments coming out of Wednesday's meeting:
Dean Flowers - President, Public Service Union
"Coming out of Wednesday's meeting the news was encouraging to say the least. While there was absolutely no promise made in terms a full return or even in the case of what was committed a possible gradual return, that was pretty much the extent that the government was prepared to go. The government side could not give a definitive position in terms of how the 10% would be returned in the new fiscal year, but they were bold enough to say that within the new fiscal year, we are committing and we are committed to return the 10% to public officers. So what they asked us for was for them to meet at their retreat which of course as all know is taking place started yesterday and I believes concludes today and at that retreat we were told that they would be able to fleshed out the details of how they intended to honor the commitment to gradually restore the 10% salary cuts that were effected last year. Its a week day now, we will no doubt he hearing from them some time in the coming week in terms of what was cabinet's decision or the government's decision. So we look forward to hearing from them next week or sometime in the coming weeks."
The Government had given a commitment to the Joint Unions that if the country's economy had reached certain benchmarks in recovery, teachers and public officers would receive a performance bonus. Well, according to the PSU President, the government's negotiating team has made the case that it's either one or the other that can be afforded. So, since they will focus on returning the 10%, they will most likely forego that bonus.
