Despite Government’s significant decline in revenue they were able to pay billions of dollars in backpay arrears to public servants in the last two years.
These payments, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley said last night was never mentioned by the union movement, even as union leaders promised a tsunami of protests this year against the Government who have been retrenching public servants due to financial constraints.
Rowley explained that with the sharp drop in revenue, the Government was unable to immediately meet all the arrears of back-pay for Public Servants, left by the previous administration.
“Part of the expenditure splurge in 2014/2015 reflected a 14 per cent wage increase to public servants, which created an obligation for back pay, which was initially promised to be paid before the end of fiscal 2015.”
However, he said the Government managed to negotiate a solution with the relevant unions and have paid the billions of dollars over a two-year period.
“Incidentally, I have never heard this mentioned by a single labour leader, voices that are routinely condemnatory and accusatory where Government actions are concerned.”