Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance Dr. Ashni Singh on Thursday announced an across the board salary increase of seven per cent for all public servants, teachers, and members of the disciplined services, constitutional office holders, as well as government pensioners.
Dr Singh made the announcement Thursday afternoon in an address to the nation which was streamed live on the official Facebook page of President Dr. Irfaan Ali.
Dr. Singh explained that the increases will be retroactive from January 1, 2021 and paid together with December salaries.
“Instructions have already been issued for the work to commence immediately to implement these measures we have just announced,” the Finance Minister said.
He explained that with noticed disparities across positions in the public sector salary scales, steps will be taken to reduce inconsistencies next year.
The government will be taking steps next year to reduce these inconsistencies, by making suitable adjustments to salaries in order to improve the parity and consistency with which persons with comparable qualifications are paid
The announcement was following a Cabinet meeting earlier on Thursday.
President Ali had repeatedly promised that public servants, including teachers, will receive a salary increase by the end of 2021.
He had also promised an annual bonus to all public servants. He urged public servants to trust his government and not to be played politically.
“By the end of these five years, you will all be better off,” the President had said previously while addressing public servants and teachers. He said his goal is to ensure the improvement of the personal and family welfare of all public servants.
Already, public servants have benefitted from the recent disbursements of cash grants, including a $25,000 COVID-19 relief and $19,000 for each of their children in public schools.
Another $25,000 cash grants were given to all pensioners and persons with disabilities and $200M was offered in electricity credits to vulnerable households.
