Minister says Public Service Wages and Salaries a Major Concern for Government

MINISTER in the Ministry of Finance, Dr. Ubaldus Raymond, has asserted that while the Allen Chastanet administration is happy to note that its revenue enhancement policies are working, wages and salaries remain a source of concern.

But he made it clear that the government has no intention of cutting salaries.

‘We are very cautious with the way that money is expended, that is why we have a policy of controlling our debt and we have taken certain measures to control our expenses as well,’ the minister told reporters Tuesday.

Raymond asserted that there can be no doubt that public servants wages and salaries have increased over the years.

By his recollection, in the last ten to fifteen years wages and salaries have probably doubled.

‘It is a major concern to this government and any government that comes in.

‘In fact, the increase in wages and salaries actually happened under the labour party and I am not saying in any way that we are cutting back on salaries,’ Raymond explained.

‘The government is very cognizant of that particular line item in the budget on its revenues,’ he stated.

According to Raymond, when pensions are added to rising salaries, additional pressure is put on the government revenues.