News
Gov’t Payroll to increase by $11 Million; Salaries and Gratuity boosted by PNP Administration
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, February 23, 2022 – There will be a nine million dollar increase in the country’s largest payroll as the Government, last week announced, employees in the public sector would be receiving a four per cent salary increase in the new budget year.
I am pleased as well to advise that my government has budgeted this year for an across the board 4% increase in public service salaries, some seven years since the last increase took place in 2015, during my last term in office.
This investment to the tune of $9m demonstrates our commitment to the Public Service of these islands and our intention to continue to transform lives in these Turks and Caicos Islands.”
When it comes to the gratuity program, which has long been characterized as unfair by long term public sector
“As a major part of my governments’ focus on human capital development, my government is fully committed to improving the pay and working conditions of the public service which is the engine of the government.
In 2021/2022 my government budgeted $2m to fund the initial injection into the new Public Service Pension and Gratuity Programme, which I am pleased will come on stream in 2022/2023; and will go a long way in helping to improve the compensation package provided to public servants as well as to assist in preparing for their retirement.”
That two million is being carried over from this year into the new budget cycle.
While these developments will undoubtedly be welcomed, the news does not equate to a ten per cent raise in salaries for the civil service, as the government issued release had stated.
“Following months of technical planning, consultation and other meetings, I am pleased to announce that the new Public Service Pension and Gratuity Programme is well on its way towards implementation, with the first draft of legislation having already been prepared and shortly to be debated in the House of Assembly.
This is a momentous achievement for the Turks and Caicos Public Service following the cessation of our previous programme which created a significant disparity in the public service between pre and post 1992 employees that received different post-employment benefits.
This new programme seeks to recognise and to appropriately compensate our long serving employees by ensuring that when they leave the civil service they are assisted in meeting the financial demands that still remain with them at that time,” explained Anya Williams, Deputy Governor and Head of Public Service.
The new public service pension and gratuity program still has to pass through the House of Assembly.
Retroactive payments were not itemized in the report.
Both announcements will mean an increase in spending in the public service by at least $11 million per year.