Finance Minister Colm Imbert will communicate with the police, fire and prisons associations by May 31 on final decisions concerning all matters they have raised, including requests for housing or land and on payment of outstanding back pay.
This was indicated in a statement from the Finance Ministry on Wednesday following Imbert’s meeting on Tuesday with representatives of the Associations to discuss outstanding back pay to officers.
Imbert confirmed the Government’s proposals for the payment of these arrears, namely (a) 50 per cent be paid in cash by June 30 (b)-the remaining 50 per cent be paid in either two tranches in fiscal 2017 or through Government bonds to be issued by September 30.
The Associations indicated the issuance of bonds was not contemplated previously, and they needed more information to inform their members. Imbert assured the bonds would be competitive.
The Association asked Imbert to consider the following:
* Arrears in the sum of $50,000 or less should be paid in cash;
* Allowances such as travel and upkeep should be paid in cash and not form part of a bond scheme;
* Pensioners should be paid all their outstanding monies in cash;
* Benefits in kind, such as housing and/or land;
* Shares in public companies.
Government has asked the associations to provide a list of the number of people falling below the $50,000 threshold; and the potential number of officers requesting housing or land. This will be done in a week.
Imbert committed to reviewing their proposals, but stressed the final decision rests with Cabinet. He told the Associations that by May 31, he would communicate with them on the final decisions concerning all of the matters and committed to providing full details on the proposed bonds by then. - Gail Alexander