BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE recent announcement by Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas of a December double salary for Kittitian public servants has engendered cheer by the majority of these workers.
The Kittitian leader revealed the initiative in a national address aired on ZIZ television and radio last week, along with a slew of other measures including the relaxation of the electricity fuel surcharge and the duty-free importation of paint.
Opposition politicians criticised the move, claiming the economy would not benefit and that it was nothing more than a political stunt by Douglas and his ruling St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party to win more votes in the upcoming general election.
As of today (Dec. 15), civil servants can collect the twofold payment from the Treasury, or see evidence of the increase in their bank accounts. SKNVibes took to the streets to find out their opinions on the government’s early Christmas present.
According to a teacher at Verchilds High, the news could not have come at a better time.
“I don’t know when the last double salary was, so I was caught by surprise. People won’t say no to extra pocket change, especially around this time. I’m glad to have gotten it. It means that I have more money to save, more money to pay off my student loan, more money to buy my mom a Christmas gift, and etcetera.”
A worker in the Electoral Office shared the sentiment, adding that he didn’t think the initiative was a political ploy and that the timing of it had “just happened by coincidence”.
However, a Crown Counsel was highly dubious of the move, calling it “political” rather than “prudent”.
“I think it is stupid. Everybody should enjoy the extra money and I don’t want to deprive them of that, but when I look at the global economic situation, I wonder if we won’t suffer later because of this. No matter the primary surplus, we still have an astronomical debt to service.
“No double salary was paid before during this recent term of the government. But weeks before the election, one is announced. It bodes ill for us and it shows that this was more about serving political interests than those of the people,” he explained.
Despite the lawyer’s scepticism, a secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs could not be happier with her double salary.
“I am absolutely delighted by the news! I was shocked by it, because I had heard that we would be getting five or seven percent of our salary instead.”
She added, “Some might call it a political scheme, but I don’t care. I got my double salary and I’m happy.”
