Public officers are deserving of an increase in salaries and wages because they help to keep this country in good economic standing.
This was one of the points that was raised by the General Secretary of the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW), Roslyn Smith as she addressed the media after a meeting with public officers on Monday evening at their headquarters.
She stated that this was done in spite of the fact that they had to operate with fewer workers after some of them were laid off and yet, they still managed to meet with goals that were set, which in itself is a good reason for them to get that increase in their salaries.
“The workers are of the view and most of the public officers know that they deserve a salaries increase because they have taken the brunt of the productivity because people believe that public officers are unproductive. But this country has been going on the backs of lesser workers because we had layoffs, yet still persons were still able to meet the targets and demands like that. So there is no reason to say that they don’t have justification in requesting a salary increase.”
In fact, if these public officers were to decide that they would stop working tomorrow, the country would see exactly how much of a contribution they really make to this country, said the General Secretary.
“If public officers do not drive the economy – obviously I am not seeing the private sector driving it – and yet still, they will complain and say that the public officers don’t work, they are lazy whatever. But if all of the public officers sit down one day, I will like to see what would happen to this country. You cannot keep beating on public officers. And we are saying no more. They deserve a wage increase and I am going to ensure that they do get a wage increase.”
Smith also voiced her disagreement with the former Prime Minister, Owen Arthur that now was not an ideal time to be asking for this wage increase.
“Honestly, what time would ever be a good time? You are getting the production, workers are working hard. They have been over-taxed. Okay. And they would have built or propped [up] the economy over the last five years. The Government – they have restored their ten per cent. It is not a salaries and wages agreement, but at least when they restored their ten per cent; they have ten per cent more to spend. Public officers do not have one per cent as yet. So it would be unreasonable to say that the public officers do not deserve a salaries and wages settlement and I believe that it is time that we go forward so that we can have the economy going again.” (PJT)