Public Servants to Get Christmas Cash Advance on Backpay

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced that the government will honor the salary increase and backpay owed to Public Service Association (PSA) members, which totals a 10% raise plus allowances, amounting to approximately 15% overall.

Crucially, she pledged an initial cash payment to public servants before Christmas. She stressed, however, that the government cannot dictate the final payment method to the independent Chief Personnel Officer (CPO), Dr. Daryl Dindial, who is currently at odds with the PSA over the CPO's insistence on including non-cash components.

The Prime Minister confirmed the total backpay is estimated at $3.8 billion, with an annual recurrent cost of $420 million, and urged all parties to proceed with "calm, respectful dialogue."