New model needed

MINISTER of Finance and Economic Affairs, Christopher Sinckler, said that there is need for a new model to deal with pay increases for public officers.

This as he believed that pay increases for public officers though necessary, had to be considered in the context of what is taking place in the economy. Speaking on the Appropriations Bill, the minister said that negotiations with trade unions for pay increases on behalf of public officers are still taking place.

But in giving his personal views on the matter, the Minister said that the tradition of granting pay increases to officers every two years based on inflation and not linked to productivity gains needs to be changed.

Arguing that the system cannot continue, Sinckler recommended that Government and the Social Partners need to look at a longer period, possibly over five years after which consideration should be given to pay increases.

He believes that is the better approach when it comes to these matters of pay increases for public officers.

He said that increments for officers are now running at $53 million and that a new model is therefore required to deal with this situation.

The Finance Minister insisted also that a number of non-salary issues, as put forward by the Prime Minister, need to be considered. Sinckler referred to conditions of work and pensions, noting that in the case of the latter, there ought to be some consideration whereby persons employed in statutory bodies should be allowed to retire at age 67, similar to what now obtains in the general service. (JB)