Government Releasing $80M in Salaries and Back Pay

Nearly $80 million is to be paid to public servants within the next two days as the government disburses a promised tax-free back pay package to public sector workers. A statement issued by the government on Monday evening confirmed that “over the next 48 hours, nearly $80 million will be released into the local economy”. It explained that in addition to the regular monthly salary payments of $44.5 million, an additional $34.5 million would be given in back pay. The payments are being made in accordance with the terms of the recently concluded trade negotiations between the Government Negotiating Team (GNT) and the Trade Union Federation (TUF), which will see public sector workers receiving a six per cent wage increase for the 2022-2025 period, followed by another seven per cent hike for the 2025-2028 period. Over 11 000 public sector employees in grades to 1 to 18, represented by six bargaining agents under the TUF, will benefit from the agreement. The GNT and TUF concluded negotiations last December, for a 13 per cent salary increase over two consecutive trienniums. The bargaining agents covered under TUF include the Saint Lucia Civil Service Association, the Saint Lucia Fire Service Association, the Saint...