At last!

IT has been eight years in coming, but public servants have finally secured a wage increase.

Just two weeks in office, and the new Government has agreed to give workers a five per cent increase across the board. Word of the agreement reached between Government and the trade unions came from Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Economic Affairs and Investment, Mia Mottley, who said that the increase covers the period April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019. She stated this as she delivered the annual Financial Statement and Budgetary Proposal in the Lower House yesterday morning as she lamented that it has been the workers who have borne the brunt of the economic challenges over the last few years.

“Immediately on taking office on the 25th of May, I mandated that meetings be held with workers’ representatives to consider a new wages and salaries accord for public workers, who have not had a wages increase in this country for eight straight years. Prices have gone up in the last decade by almost 50 per cent and the meagre increase that they got between 2008 to 2010 does not even bring them to a proper quarter of what prices have gone up to in this country,” she said.

Prime Minister Mottley’s comments came as she noted that even though she wishes she could make up for the “lost years” that the previous Government put the workers “at peril”, her Government cannot agree to any increase for those previous years, and as such any union demand for settlement regarding previous periods cannot be met. Mottley made the point as she revealed that the five per cent boost in wages and salary for the public service will cost the Government approximately $60 million on a recurring basis.

“This cost applies not just to Central Government but also to statutory boards… This is by far the single biggest expenditure my Government will undertake in the next year. It represents our commitment to labour; it presents our commitment to the workers of Barbados, Mr. Speaker. It is an appreciation of their unflinching commitment to working through the challenges our country faces together and I want to salute their maturity and I say simply that those who would seek to make a mockery of their patriotism, would do well to go and check themselves again, because this is what is in the best interest of the country; recognising that if we have to set off on a long journey you have to give people breakfast, especially if they have not eaten for eight years,” she said.

Mottley also announced her Government’s intention to follow through with its manifesto promise to raise the minimum non-contributory pension from $155 to $225 per week as of July.

“Protection of our pensioners will cost the sum of $18 million. The relativities, Sir, will be maintained for minimum contributory pensions and survivor benefits and invalidity benefits within National Insurance Scheme and the National Insurance Scheme will treat to this expenditure separately.

We know that the measures announced today will impact all. Some people will need extra support and as such, I also announce today a temporary increase in our poverty alleviation and welfare initiatives to the tune of $5 million to be able to capture and support all who may fall through the cracks,” she added.

In respect of tuition fees for those attending the University of the West Indies (UWI), in keeping with their manifesto pledge, she said those fees will be abolished for undergraduates from the next semester. Additionally, she said those achieving Upper Second Class honours or higher, and those pursuing studies in areas considered to national development priorities will have their graduate studies at the UWI paid for by the Government. But the move is not without some cost to the students, as she explained that in return students will be required to contribute to the development of social capital by giving back a minimum of 100 hours in approved service to the country. The areas of activity, she said, will be agreed to by the Social Partnership. (JRT)