The Government pay system may be adversely affected at the end of next month, The Tribune has learned, with those responsible for drafting thousands of public servants and old age pensioners’ cheques threatening a boycott if their own salary review is not finalised.
Sources close to the situation said government IT professionals have been waiting for more than three years for a salary review of their jobs to be finalised, and are becoming frustrated.
One source said IT professionals and data processors had been told that their salary scale would be reviewed, and that until the process was complete, they would receive no raises or increments.
At present, on coming into the public service, this group of professionals can start out earning around $19,200 per annum.
However, in the private sector, persons working in this specialised area can earn around $48,000.
For this reason, said the source, the Government service has seen a high turnover of IT professionals, who became tired of waiting for the review to be completed.
“Many of those who are left are tired of waiting for the Government to make a move, because its heading on four years now since we received any increments or promotions, and there has been talk of doing something about it,” said the source.
“The Ministry of the Public Service has been on them (the Ministry of Finance) to do something about it, but to date, we have heard nothing.
“In the meantime, we are seeing more and more so-called consultants coming on board, to whom we have to issue out high-end salaries.
“While the Treasury is responsible for issuing cheques, it is the professionals at the data processing units in the Cabinet building who are responsible for printing all those cheques.”
The source said that while promotions have been suspended, IT professionals and their families are at a disadvantage. “They are trying their best to show their commitment to the public service, but many continue to be lured away by the private sector.”
In some instances, he said, the technicians have preferred to repay the Government for any training they received on the job, in order to take attractive packages being presented to them by private firms.
The Tribune attempted to contact the Permanent Secretary in the Department of Public Service for a response. However, Irene Stubbs and her deputy, Ms Pratt, were both out of office and unavailable for comment.
By A FELICITY INGRAHAM Tribune Business Reporter
