News
Reactions varied to $18 Million Pay and Grading increase
Deandrea Hamilton and Dana Malcolm
Editorial Staff
#TurksandCaicos, December 10, 2023 – On Monday December 4, the TCIG announced public sector pay raises ranging from 10 to 57 percent which impact just under 2000 civil servants and based on reactions to the $18.2 million salaries boost, the increase is either still not enough, or, it’s right on time.
As many celebrate the long-awaited pay increase, varied perspectives are pouring in, including concern in the private sector.
Some residents, in speaking to our news team, have listed all the bills they would be paying which includes an increased NIB contribution and pension deductions plus inflationary factors which affect grocery and electricity prices. These individuals say the rising cost of living will eat into their new cash. But one could always ask, imagine what would be left in a salary that did not have the raise to offset these economic shocks.
Still, the premier, when he spoke to the nation on Monday, was resolute about the precedent setting benefits to the 2,000 employees who work for the government.
“The government must no longer be the last resort in the choice of employment. We have injected equality, equity and need in our remuneration structure and hope that our private sector partners will do the same.
My government is committed to empathy and compassion and a genuine commitment to build a safety net around the vulnerable and we are doing that as well.
No government in history has done more to cater to the vulnerable of our society,” said Washington Misick, TCI
It is true that come April 2024, National Insurance Board contributions for private sector employees will increase to 5.5 percent, while public employees 5.075 percent and Self-employed persons will pay 10 percent more than they are currently putting into the worker insurance plan. Fees for the National Health Insurance Plan have not increased and last fiscal year, the government provided a 10 percent increase for public sector workers of which six percent already covers pension costs.
Others, public sector workers or not, were expressively jubilant at the news of the increases which go up to 57.1 percent, officials namely: Anya Wiliams, Deputy Governor; Washington Misick, Premier and E. Jay Saunders, Deputy Premier announced. Positive comments on the Facebook live broadcast numbered in the hundreds.
However, directly to our newsroom, we have fielded other private sector worries including how they’re faced with possibly having to raise school fees. Without any government subsidy for the private school sector, this owner said it was the only way to offer comparable salaries to keep their teachers from flocking to the public sector due to the new, more lucrative offers.
TCIG announced that teachers’ pay would improve significantly.
The Deputy Governor, in her speech during the press conference said: “374 staff in the teaching sector will receive the following pay increases effective December 1, 2023. Trained Teachers 12.8%; Graduate Teachers 25%; Heads of Department 29.9%; Vice Principals 42% and Principals 57.1%.
The basic salary for a Graduate Teacher has been increased to $48,320.00; The basic salary for a Head of Department has been increased to $56,037; The basic salary for Vice Principals has been increased to $66,610; The basic salary for Principals has been increased to $79,178.
All Teachers will continue to receive a Materials Allowance of $100 per month or $1,200 per annum in addition to their basic pay.
The compensation package for our 286 Graduate Teachers will be increased to $60,320 per annum, which places us at the upper point of the teaching scales in the region.”