PIA GLOVER-ROLLE, Minister of State for the Public Service. (File photo)
By LEANDRA ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
lrolle@tribunemedia.net
GOVERNMENT has finalised and presented its proposal on salary increases to the Bahamas Public Service Union, which among other raises, would see over 2,000 public officers receive higher wages — up to five increments in the first year as a result of the minimum wage increase.
This is in addition to other increases that are proposed under the industrial agreement, according to State Minister for Public Service Pia Glover-Rolle.
In a statement released yesterday, Mrs Glover-Rolle said the agreement proposed to BPSU, which is now under the union’s review, was the best possible offer the government could make at this time.
The state minister also said she believed civil servants would be pleased with the proposal.
“The Ministry of Public Service is working towards addressing long standing issues and concerns held by public servants. At the top of this list are the proposed salary increases for the public service,” she said.
“Negotiations are ongoing. The government has adjusted its original proposal made on 29 June 2022 to the Bahamas Public Service Union (BPSU) to better reflect the needs of the public service. On 25 October 2022, the government finalised its new proposal, which is now being reviewed by the BPSU.
“Our goal with the current proposal is to complete the rollout of the public service minimum wage increase, while also delivering additional increases at every level of the public service.
“The proposed increases represent the best possible offer that can be made at this time. We believe that public servants will be happy with this proposal. We thank the Labour Relations Unit and all union officials who were seated at the negotiation table to bring us to this point.”
The country’s minimum wage is being raised from $210 to $260.
BPSU has long called for salary increases, lump sum payments and salary reviews for members across the public sector.
BPSU President Kimsley Ferguson had previously told The Tribune that the union wants “nothing less than at least $350 per week” given the high cost of living in the country, citing the amount as a livable wage.
Yesterday, Mrs Glover-Rolle also commented on the success of National Public Service Week which was held between October 30 and November 5.
“Thanks to the enthusiastic participation of public servants, National Public Service Week 2022 was a resounding success,” she said. “Public servants all around the country celebrated in recognition of their important role as nation builders. The Ministry of Public Service looks forward to all of the great things we will accomplish together.
“National Public Service Week is a specially designated time for us to display our gratitude to public servants. Moving forward, our goal is to show our appreciation each and every day.”
A float parade on Friday was part of the events.
Comments
Flyingfish 1 year, 6 months ago
The last people who should be getting pay rise is the office workers who is don't answer the phone and disappear for 2hr for lunch.
bahamianson 1 year, 6 months ago
Wow, where is the money going to come from? Are your heads in the sand? Where is the money going to come from? Gthe people in Government treat the public purse like it is their personal account.
sheeprunner12 1 year, 6 months ago
There are many hard working public officers - and like any profession, the bad apples spoil the bunch.
The usual cry that public officers are lazy and good-for-nothing is very unfair to those who work diligently to keep the creaky wheels of Government turning.
The political interference in the public service has a lot to do with the inefficiency and ineffectiveness of some agencies. So be it ...............
TalRussell 1 year, 6 months ago
In an increasingly uncertain world markets, more pay and hiring for the public servants workforce is not one of the ways to minimize foreign currency risk ― Yes?
Sickened 1 year, 6 months ago
We simply can't afford to keep the number of government workers we currently have on the payroll, let alone give 2,000 of them an increase. As Bahamianson said (above) - where is this money coming from?
sheeprunner12 1 year, 6 months ago
There are 30,000 public service workers.
Why do you have a problem with giving the bottom 2,000 a raise?????
TalRussell 1 year, 6 months ago
Nah ― trust me, SheepRunner, your still House of Assembly seated, handsomely enriched ** out island's MP is definitely not amongst "the bottom 2,000' on the colony's 'PopoulacesPurse' Sometin' needin' talkin' about with Pintard― Yes?
Sickened 1 year, 6 months ago
Please note..."This is in addition to other increases that are proposed under the industrial agreement, according to State Minister for Public Service Pia Glover-Rolle."
She doesn't state anywhere that these are the bottom paid workers. In fact, she said that this is for every level of worker. AND it's in addition to other increases OUTSIDE of minimum wage - which is mandatory.
JohnQ 1 year, 6 months ago
Given the economic forecasts from virtually every major finance organization, it seems the Government should be increasingly concerned or at least aware of the possibility of deep recession and down turn in revenue. Printing money isn't a solution.
TalRussell 1 year, 6 months ago
Only the colony's first Premiership of "Pop" Theodore Smonette, held firm grip against Sir Stafford's being tempted into printing more currency add to the cash circulating in the economy.
The more cash a popoulaces' have access to the more they'll look at what is available, the likes of sludge oil burning motor vehicles, furniture's', merchants' goods, wares and sundries.
Thus sprungs up greater 'cashflation' ― Yes?
Sickened 1 year, 6 months ago
Don't forget to add the numbers houses on that list. 80% of poor people's discretionary money is spent on spinning.
Proguing 1 year, 6 months ago
Can we get downgraded any lower?
bahamianson 1 year, 6 months ago
The Plp always does this beforw Christmas. It reminds me of an individual whom told me that I needed to have another child because the two that I have needs company. In the same conversation , he mentioned that he has three children , and.he had to send them to SEND THEM TO SCHOOL WITHOUT LUMCH MONEY!!!! DOES THAT MAKE ANY SENSE? Just because you are an elected official doesn't qualify you to have common sense. This individual thinks like the plp. We are dying financially, but let's keep traveling , keep giving increases, and keep spending.
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