#BTSpeakingOut – Are we really in this together?

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by Michael Ray

I am not sure if Mr. Jeremy Stephen is aware of the ruling delivered as a ministerial statement by former Prime Minister JMGM “Tom” Adams that linked salaries of Parliamentarians to negotiated salary increments of civil servants.

Though the full intent of that decision may never be fully understood, one of the implications was that the salaries of Parliamentarians would not increase by the pretext of any flimsy whim and fancy.

Over a number of years, Parliamentarians only received increases in salaries after negotiated settlements between the Government and the Unions.

One wonders if the current Prime Minister is aware of this lawfully binding arrangement? Or was this agreement rescinded?

The Prime Minister has  taken steps to appoint no less than five Senior Ministers with added responsibilities and the necessary increases
in salaries.

This is being interpreted by persons within and without the public service as a method to circumvent the aforementioned arrangement
and compensate members of the Cabinet with increased salaries.

Is there any explanation for this recent decision?

Has the original agreement been abandoned?

Or, as a number of civil servants keep asking: “Are we really in this together?”