BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – CIVIL servants of the Federal Government and the Nevis Island Administration will be treated to a Christmas bonus taking the form of a double salary to be paid in mid-December.
The announcement was made last evening (Nov. 19) by Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris.
In an address to the nation carried on ZIZ Television and Radio, Dr. Harris outlined the elements of the Government’s 2016 Christmas package.
“Cabinet in its deliberation on Friday (Nov. 18) determined that the following will be offered to government employees in December this year: An extra month’s salary to all civil servants, auxiliary workers and pensioners on the Government’s payroll. This represents a 13 month salary or an 8.3 percent bonus to Government employees and pensioners. This payout will benefit not only Federal employees and pensioners but also those on the payroll of the Nevis Island Administration.”
Prime Minister Harris said it is estimated that resultant of this bonus, “potentially, $30M will be pumped into the economy…The multiplier effect of this sum will be significant at this time of the year.”
He encouraged private and public businesses and entities to follow the Government’s lead and “make a very special effort to deliver a gratuitous payment to their employees in December… As the principle beneficiaries of consumer expenditure, we hope that our private sector firms will do more than the normal pay for their employees. We urge those who are receiving extra to show a little more kindness during the yuletide season and we caution all to spend wisely and avoid waste.”
The Government’s Christmas package also includes tax concession on food packages.
“Gift packages of food stuff will be allowed free of duties and taxes for the first 400 pounds starting from the 9th and going to the 31st of December 2016. Another important concession which we make is that travelers will receive a duty free allowance of EC$540 or US$200 off the CIF value. This too will run from the 9th December to the 31st December 2016.”
Reduced VAT Day is set for December 16 and a special concession has been made for restaurateurs.
“I am pleased to announce to all our stand alone restaurant operators that the government has approved an extension of duty free concessions which are applicable every five years. These concessions apply to the following purchases: the purchase of food and wine, restaurant equipment, cutlery and glassware. I should note that the normal vat rate of 17 percent and customs service charge at 6 percent are payable on the importation of equipment, cutlery, cookery and glassware. Interested restaurant operators are asked to contact SKIPA on the third floor of the cable building on Cayon Street, Basseterre.”
The Political Leader of the Federation declared his Government’s belief that the concessions would prove beneficial to the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.
