Public sector workers will start receiving a 13 per cent wage increase from next year, along with a one-time $500 bonus just in time for Christmas, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre announced on Wednesday.
The wage increase, which follows the finalisation of negotiations with public sector unions, will apply from 2022 to 2028. Pierre revealed during his end-of-year press conference that tax-free back pay will be issued in February.
“I hoped that we would have completed negotiations early enough for all affected workers to receive their back pay for Christmas; however, we were not able to achieve that date,” he said. “I think that all public sector workers do deserve to receive some compensation for their patience and understanding. On my request, the Cabinet of Ministers has agreed to a payment of a one-off $500 bonus to every public sector worker. This means that 12,381 workers on the government’s monthly payroll will receive their bonus before Christmas.”
The announcements came as Pierre discussed the growing cost of living in Saint Lucia.
“It is painful to note the impact that imported inflation has had on families, especially single parents and the elderly,” he stated.
“Since 2021, we sought to cushion the impact of price increases on the people of Saint Lucia. We have increased the taxable allowance to $30,000 per year, which means that no Saint Lucian worker earning $2,500 or less per month pays any income tax.
“We have, for two years, made one-off payments to government pensioners. We have increased the NIC [National Insurance Corporation] pensions from a minimum of $300 to $500 monthly. The NIC has also increased its payment to their pensioners. No government pensioner now earns less than $750 monthly,” the prime minister pointed out.
Among the strategies highlighted by Pierre were the implementation of the minimum liveable wage of $1,131 per month; subsidies on flour, rice, and cooking gas; and the removal of the 6 per cent service charge on controlled goods.
The government should please pay people their tax returns. I have over 10,000 EC dollars there but inland revenue department is not paying. I have written letters upon letters and even made calls but no positive response. In other countries, you are giving your tax refund after every filling. I hope, our government will look into this.
Good initiative but again where are the sustainable policies. One off bonus payments are simply preelection gimmicks!
The prime minister is working in the interest of the people of St Lucia.. And that is giving the opposition a very serious headache . I believe that this current administration will be voted back in power to serve another term
Thank You, Pierre. A $500 bonus to twelve thousand folks. How about the remaining 172,000 citizens who are being faced with severe hardship ? Why couldn’t you suspend the 2.5% tax for 90 days. In that case everyone would benefit from a tax break.
Private companies give bonus when they meet their financial numbers. Some companies don’t as they don’t meet those numbers. Government in no way shape or form makes a profit. They are to provide public services to the citizens from collecting tax dollars. How did you come up with the money to pay bonus and make everyone believe it is historical ? Is it a dependency you create for yourself to capture votes.
The hardship continues in SLU and 500 dollars to government workers are just not enough. Things are moving from bad to worse. Let us focus on crimes, infrastructure, health.
lol – Eiection Gimmicks. Trying to fool the fools.
A $15000.00 a year is only $25 increase for the first year. They will never give the details
Free up the tax returns that were promised a year ago!
OKEU Hospital has no hot water to shower we need help in these times
Really Pip , I think that monies could have been used to fix the sidewalks in the Shitty ( oops City) instead of paying a workforce where at least 60 per cent of them sit on their hands all day.
Why not fix the deplorable streets and sidewalks in the Castries basin with that money.
What about NIC pensioner they have bill and need a onetime pay off too $750.00 per month is no money for a person that have rent and bills to pay food is a next thing
Thank you Sir for doing so. I appreciate and applaude your efforts.
What about st.judes hospital why isnt that a bigger issue
And the students from Monroe that never got their CVQs nor certificates neither their stipend …..