Retroactive salaries to be paid to public-sector workers

Word out of yesterday's meeting between Minister of Finance Audley Shaw and unions representing various public-sector workers is that despite the fact that only $4.6 billion has been allocated for retroactive salaries owed to public-sector workers in the 2011-2012 Estimates of Expenditure, the Government will be making an effort to find additional funds in the Supplementary Budget to pay additional outstanding amounts due to the workers in the second half of the current financial year.

It is expected that the total wage bill would move from around $127 billion to just under $135 billion. which would include the retroactive salary payments.

Despite its promise to search for additional funds, the Government has budgeted to pay the following outstanding amounts:

$2.5 billion for teachers arising from the Industrial Disputes Tribunal ruling last year.

$700 million for select public-sector groups.

$1.4 billion representing the balance owed for general allowances.

The finance ministry has also included a contingency amount of $500 million to cover the recruitment of Cuban health personnel.

- A. S.