Salary increase for civil servants
By Shawn Seabrookes
Senior Reporter - SKNVibes.com
~~Adz:Left~~{Basseterre; St. Kitts} Prime Minister of the Federation, Dr. the Hon. Denzil Douglas has announced a 5% interim salary increase for civil servants, with back pay dating back from January 1st, 2007, which will be paid out to workers on December 14th, Government pay day.
The announcement was made during a press conference hosted by the Prime Minister at Government Headquarters, on Tuesday afternoon, December 4th.
Dr. Douglas also noted that once the results of a review from the Caribbean Centre for Development (CARICARD) is presented, he does not imagine that they will recommend anything less than a 10% increase, which will include back pay.
He stated that the salary increase comes at a period in time when his Government is looking at ways to respond positively to cost of living issues.
The Prime Minister also indicated that his Government wanted to provide some kind of financial relief to civil workers, especially as this is the Christmas holiday period.
He explained that a review of salary for civil servants should take place once every three years.
Among the other financial relief initiatives outlined by the Prime Minister were concessions on food imports. In relation to gift packages of food, the fist 100 pounds would be free of taxes while travellers, who have been out of the country for 7 days would receive a duty free allowance of $400 on the CIF value.
The Prime Minister further outlined that the incentive package offered to importers of gift packages of food stuff is to be extended to one day shoppers where they would receive a duty free allowance on the first 70 pounds of food stuff.
Large barrels would be valued at a CIF of $101.48 and the goods inside would be classified as food stuff and taxes and duties would be $60 while small barrels would have a CIF of $67.65 and the duties and taxes would be $40.
The dramatic increase in the cost of living throughout the region has been a priority issue in a number of Government administrations.
The Prime Minister also utilized the opportunity to reaffirm his support for the Security Forces as they work assiduously to curb the number of incidents of crime and violence. He also noted that crime and violence have the full attention of his Government.
