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'Leadership will have to take a pay cut too' - Hon Fahie

- once civil servants are made to suffer a pay cut
Opposition Leader Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has suggested that Cabinet Ministers take a pay cut first before cutting civil servants pay. Photo: VINO
Host of Honestly Speaking, Claude O. Skelton-Cline has said the payroll for civil servants is unsustainable and has suggested some ways to cut expenditure. Photo: Facebook
Host of Honestly Speaking, Claude O. Skelton-Cline has said the payroll for civil servants is unsustainable and has suggested some ways to cut expenditure. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- It may not make much of a "dent" on Government expenditure but Leader of the Opposition Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) believes if there is any move to cut civil servants pay, Cabinet Ministers should take a pay cut too.

Appearing as a guest on Honestly Speaking with host Claude O. Skelton-Cline on ZBVI 780 AM radio on October 24, 2017, Hon Fahie said though that may not solve the financial conundrum that the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government seems to be in it will be a sign of good leadership and example.

The Opposition Leader and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) said currently the base salary of backbenchers is $36,000 plus allowances while Ministers collect more than $100,000.

According to Hon Fahie, the Ministers salaries should come down on the level of the other elected representatives for the time being.

It was also suggested that the 2 Junior Ministers posts be eliminated.

Nothing that there are only reports of a possible cut to civil servants pay, Hon Fahie said if this is to happen Cabinet Ministers should lead from the front and also take a pay cut since Finance is the responsibility of the Government even though civil servants come under the responsibility of the Deputy Governor.

He also said a decision on a pay cut has to be openly discussed with public servants and not let to a decision of senior officials since the "greedy will not help the needy", noting that senior persons tasked with making pay cut decisions will tend to protect their interests only.

Be truthful

And according to the former Minister for Education, the people of the Virgin Islands are a resilient people and "they will help you through any storm once you are truthful to them."

He added that the new Virgin Islands has to be built on the foundation of truth and open communication.

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) continues to deny that Government has a cash flow problem, even though civil servants continue to not being paid on time.

Government had initially blamed a server issue for delay in public servants pay.

The NDP Government has long been accused of draining the treasury and former Governor John S. Duncan OBE publicly chastised government for lacking priorities in spending.

Civil servants payroll unsustainable

According to the host of the show, Mr Skelton-Cline, a look at the Territory's budget shows that the payroll for government is $10M per month, which equates to $120M per year and represents 40% of the annual budget.

Mr Skelton-Cline described the payroll as unsustainable and "needs to be fixed."

The talk show host suggested that among the things can be done to cut expenditure are to send home civil servants brought out of retirement, offer more opportunities for early retirement and cut down on sending persons on extended leave of absence.

Mr Skelton-Cline was also in agreement that leadership should take a pay cut too once civil servants are to suffer a pay cut.

15 Responses to “'Leadership will have to take a pay cut too' - Hon Fahie”

  • wize up (30/10/2017, 10:19) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yea right!!!!! When I see that happen then I will believe it:(talk is cheap money buys lands)
  • wow, (30/10/2017, 10:27) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    that is a lot of money
  • DON Q (30/10/2017, 10:48) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    Butie say government is hurting..I believe him
    • Trump like. (30/10/2017, 17:01) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
      They are already rich. All of them. They can be like trump and contribute a fortnight of their salaries to the clean up effort. How humane that would be...
  • More than Wow (30/10/2017, 11:39) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    that is indeed a lot of money and even though some receive an allowance for the area it is only use to percup the people during election so where does it go? Ask Joe Public. Too much greed and corruption in govt. Father please send angels to rule over us and not people.
    • Fahie. A man of Wisdom (30/10/2017, 17:11) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      "The greedy will not help the needy" Wow..Truth from the mouth of Angel.." The greedy will not help the needy" Wisdom
  • 123 (30/10/2017, 14:34) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    tell um brox bummer
  • Greed Island (30/10/2017, 16:55) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I agree. Not Just in government but in all spectrum and businesses. Leadership should be the example..on Greed Island The poerful are Sharks and the poor is blood..

  • chad (30/10/2017, 16:58) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Fahie is on target
  • People (30/10/2017, 16:59) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Even if the NDP gibe Ministers take a pay cut it wouldn't hurt then because they done rich off of our money already
  • good (30/10/2017, 17:00) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    We thank Hon. Fahie for being the only voice speaking up for we the people against this ndp government that abandon us after Irma but now coming to try to play hero.
    • Lord o. Nice. Rite way needed that speech (30/10/2017, 18:31) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      That's a speech the governor or someone in government should have given Rite Way..Lay-off very last option. Give everyone a month without pay including managers rotate it instead of giving a few 3 monghs off or cut everyone time to 32 hrs including managers... Fairness is important of the effort to be fair is comendable..
  • Clearly (30/10/2017, 17:01) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Zzzz Premier and his ministers telling too much lies. They can't be trusted.
  • tretretrete (01/11/2017, 07:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    They cut allowances for many.why are the leader and others being
    Paid allowances to live in there own homes.


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