President of the Public Services Association (PSA), Felisha Thomas, says that the Government’s 10% wage increase offer, as outlined in the National Budget on Monday, is a victory for public servants.
She lauded the Government for keeping the promise made during their election campaign and said that they have now opened the door for negotiations to progress.
In response to a call by Opposition MP Brian Manning to address this development, the PSA President described his comments as “unfortunate”.
“Brian Manning sat in the Ministry of Finance and should have known what exactly was placed on the table on behalf of public officers. Comrades, this morning I have before me written documentation. Not documentation of the PSA, but documentation of the official offers made by the office of the CPO to the PSA.”
Ms. Thomas detailed the offers made by the previous administration, stating that the PSA protested the initial 2% wage increase for the period 2014 to 2018. She recalled that a 4% increase was subsequently put on the table, adding that the then Government effectively shut down the negotiation process. The PSA President also rejected an alleged claim by the Opposition.
“I found it very disingenuous of the Opposition to stand before the public workers, civil servants, to say that they had an offer of 9% on the table for the very same period, trying to minimise what has been won on behalf of public officers.”
Ms. Thomas described the offer made by the Government as respectful and said that it is a reflection of what civil servants deserve for their hard work.