The government has lifted the freeze it placed on increments and promotions for public servants, and reversed its decision to reduce the subsidies and allocations to various groups, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Hubert Ingraham announcedWednesday.
Ingraham said in his budget communication to Parliament that in the coming fiscal year, the government will re-institute the full payment of allowances for public servants.
“I am also announcing that public officers at the maximum of their pay scales will receive a one-time lump sum payment equivalent to one increment,” he said.
“In addition, as of fiscal year 2011/2012, two additional increments will be added to every pay scale. Every public officer will be entitled to an increment in pay during the next fiscal year, and a further increment during the subsequent fiscal year. Finally, the freeze on promotions is being lifted.”
Ingraham announced the freeze in the 2010/2011 budget communication in May 2010. At the time the government also reduced the allowances of senior public officials by 50 percent. The cuts came in the midst of an economic meltdown which resulted in the loss of thousands of jobs.
Additionally, contributions and grants to charitable organizations and institutions were reduced by 10 percent; subsidies to private schools were reduced by 20 percent; and mail boat subsidies were reduced by 10 percent.
However, Ingraham announced the reversal of those measures Wednesday.
