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NDP Gov't promises to pay civil servants their full increments this year!

- Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith said cuts to be made in other areas to ensure this is done
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith announced during the opening day of the budget debates yesterday March 22, 2016 that Government will be paying full increments to public servants this year. Photo: VINO/File
Premier Smith said that to be able to free up funds to provide for spending in other areas such as increments, there would have to be reduction in spending on travel and entertainment among others. Photo: VINO/File
Premier Smith said that to be able to free up funds to provide for spending in other areas such as increments, there would have to be reduction in spending on travel and entertainment among others. Photo: VINO/File
Premier Smith made the remarks during the budget debates in the House of Assembly yesterday March 22, 2016. Photo: VINO/File
Premier Smith made the remarks during the budget debates in the House of Assembly yesterday March 22, 2016. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith announced during the opening day of the budget debates yesterday March 22, 2016 that Government will be paying full increments to public servants this year.

Premier Smith said that to be able to free up funds to provide for spending in other areas such as increments, there would have to be reduction in spending on travel and entertainment among others.

“One of the things we looked at Madam Speaker was increments. And we recognised that if increments are earned it could reduce the provision in the budget,” he said.

The Premier added that when the total increments are determined and come due then that could be supplemented if necessary. In this way all the increments could be paid during the year, he said.

He said that upon further revision of the estimates it was determined that the civil servants will receive their full increments and that will be reflected in the budget for this year.

During the National Democratic Party campaign prior to the June 8, 2015 elections, Premier Smith had announced on May 12, 2015 that Government had to withhold payment of increments because the Government needed the money to do "other things".

“…We recognised that we had to be thrifty. Remember what our mothers thought us to be thrifty and not spend spend spend? And so we held back on the civil servants’ increments just for a little while because we needed that money. But now those increments are being paid,” said Premier Smith.

He, however, did not go into detail as to what was financed as a result of the increments being withheld. He mentioned that the VI did not have to go the route as to cut civil servants salaries or send them home as has happened in other Caribbean countries.

Opposition agitated for increments

What the Premier did not say is that the payment of the increments came as a result of heavy agitation by members of the Opposition, primarily Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) and Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3).

It was in February 2015 that after three years of pressure, questions in the House of Assembly and speeches by Hon Fahie and Fraser that the Smith led NDP Administration surrendered to the will of the Opposition and announced that they will pay the increments due to the officers.

This was made public in a statement by Dr Smith, during the Third Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Second House of Assembly (HoA) of the Virgin Islands held on Thursday, February 12, 2015.

Hon Fraser first raised the issue

It was the VIP Chairman Honourable Fraser who first raised this issue in 2012/13 about the civil servants increments and has been consistent in advocating for civil servants to be paid their due increments. It was again hammered home by senior member of the VIP Honourable Andrew A. Fahie on payment of performance increments for Public Officers in his January 24, 2015 speech at Capoon’s Bay Recreational Grounds on Tortola.

Under the VIP Administration civil servants have always been paid their increments and there were no lay-offs despite the global economic crisis hitting hardest at the time. 

19 Responses to “NDP Gov't promises to pay civil servants their full increments this year!”

  • just asking... (23/03/2016, 08:23) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Can we believe anything the ndp say ?
  • Lesson Learned (23/03/2016, 08:38) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    One thing i must say NDP showed/teach me.... A Promise is a comfort to a fool!
  • Unicorn (23/03/2016, 09:00) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    i saw some pigs flying the other day to, so this has to be real
  • National Deceitful Party (23/03/2016, 09:00) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply
    These guys has lost all credibility with the people of these islands. If they say walk you better run because you don't know when its true from false.
  • trrefdrfds (23/03/2016, 09:05) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    Dr. donothing we tired of hearing your hot air now your like a puppet on a string, the school children them say that you all could never win another election so enjoy your selves now because you and your NDP gang time is up, no increase in minimum wage, no increments but more and more taxes down our throats and you want the masses to believe that you all care for us the people so until we get it we believe nothing you say
  • Boo (23/03/2016, 09:26) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    Looks like he woke up but missed everything during his nap. We broke!
  • well well well (23/03/2016, 10:58) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    We do not trust one word or letter of a word that Olando come here with he LIES too much
  • W*F (23/03/2016, 11:36) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Dr. Smith is a balloon full of hot air. Come on Doc give it up. You and your NDP government is gone.
    • wow (23/03/2016, 12:04) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
      no it isn't because the average citizen is either too dumb or to greedy to vote for somebody else even when a blind man can see how much crap the government has done
  • Open Minded (23/03/2016, 12:08) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    They need to find a way to pay off this 82 million dollar project as well as other debts and responsibilities. If the people that work for them are making more money then they would generate more revenues. Perhaps they do have good intentions but before the people see the significance of the pier park, everything the that is government related would be shunned upon. I have faith that the park will prosper and our debts would be paid off but if it doesn't what's going to happen to the citizens of the BVI?
  • Only BVI (23/03/2016, 12:08) Like (1) Dislike (11) Reply
    NDP ALL THE WAY FOUR MORE YEARS
    • Cookie Monster (23/03/2016, 23:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      lol you serious dude? We need a snap election but VIP napping so same result
  • PowPol (23/03/2016, 14:25) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    "We recognised that we had to be thrifty. Remember what our mothers thought us to be thrifty"

    Ok Doc. I don't know about your mother but mine taught me to speak the truth always. Speak for yourself. Gov employees has families to feed and support. Stop trifling with people's lives. #Governmentemployeeslivematters.
  • tretretrete (23/03/2016, 15:16) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Do people even understand what an increment is supposed to be? It is a combination of inflation/cost of living but more so to do with overall performance in carrying out responsibilities/duties. An increment that covers inflation/cost of living increase over time is fine, but some people think they have a right to get $200, $300 per month more automatically 'just because'. Couple this with our cash based, non contributory pension scheme, Government is heading down a very slippery financial slope.
  • 4 real doc (24/03/2016, 08:12) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    We all know the people them in the big position get there increment doc. How come think that u all is getting some much complain at the hospital. Mr. Skelton u need to give worker them there increment. You want excellent service take care of your worker and the worker will get take care of community's. Mr. Skelton the CEO is not the problem know who is the problem get them out of the hospital. U want change get them out u will see how much better improvement or u want it the same way. You until September to keep the CEO please am asking you make the right decision for time in your life please.
  • W*F (26/03/2016, 20:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Not all civil servants deserve increments. Some HOD's should not get increments either. Performance and Productivity have gone out the window. Stop paying civil servants who are not being productive..


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