$1.2 billion doled out for Joint Services one-month, tax-free bonus

The recently announced one-month, tax-free bonus for members of the Joint Services amounts to $1.2 billion, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Finance.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Wednesday announced this one-month tax-free salary for all members of the Joint Services. This is in addition to a seven per cent salary increase announced earlier in December for public servants and paid along with this month’s salary.

The pay-out for the members of the Joint Services is expected before the end of the year. Last year, the Joint Services received a two-week tax-free bonus from the government.

According to the Finance Ministry press release, the $1.2 billion bonus adds to the $612 million pay-out for the 9,200 healthcare workers who are receiving a two-week tax-free bonus.

Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance Dr. Ashni Singh, in the press release, stated that this Joint Services bonus is justified since these officers have worked beyond the call of duty in specific major sectors.

This year, members of the Joint Services aided in security and flood relief efforts, and in the health sector to enforce the COVID-19 guidelines and at vaccination sites.

Dr. Singh also pointed that these two bonuses add to the across-the-board seven per cent increase for central government employees which will be paid along with their December salaries which placed $10.5 billion in the hands of 50,000 public servants, teachers and members of the Disciplined Services.