SRC: Give pay hikes to government members

THE Salary Review Commission (SRC) is recommending a series of significant pay increases for several top public officials such the Prime Minister, President Christine Kangaloo, Chief Justice Ivor Archie and Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

Pay increases are also recommended for other officials such as cabinet and non-cabinet ministers; ordinary MPs (government and opposition); senators; the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary; THA Minority Leader, and heads and members of local government corporations.

But once again, the Prime Minister will be the highest monthly income-earner in this group, with a proposed monthly salary of $87,847.

This information was contained in the SRC's 120th report, which Finance Minister Colm Imbert laid in the House of Representatives on November 15.

None of the recommendations contained in this report has been implemented as yet. For this to happen, government must bring a motion to the House to have the report debated and approved.

Government has the option to accept all of the SRC's recommendations, reject all, accept some and reject others, or instruct the SRC to do another report which it finds acceptable.

In its 120th report, the SRC recommended increases to the salaries of 98.32 per cent of the offices that fall under its purview.

In recommending these increases, the commission set aside proposed salary increases for several public officials which were outlined in its 117th report, which was laid in the House in February.

In its 120th report, the SRC noted concerns raised by certain office-holders over recommendations in its 117th report.

Among those raising concerns at that time were members of the Judiciary, who questioned the methods the SRC used to evaluate their salaries and terms of service.

The recommendations of the 117th report were never implemented.

The current salaries of the President, Prime Minister and Opposition Leader are based on recommendations in the SRC's 98th report, which was laid in the House on February 14, 2014, and subsequently approved.

Those salaries are $64,270, $59,680 and $29,590 respectively.

In its 117th report, the SRC recommended increasing the Prime Minister's salary to $80,000.

The commission is now recommending increasing the PM's salary from $59,680 to $87,847, a 47 per cent increase. Once approved, this new salary will be effective from October 1, 2023.

The recommended new monthly salary for the President is $81,170, effective April 1, 2023, an increase of 26 per cent.

The SRC recommends increasing the Opposition Leader's monthly salary from $29,590 to $52,159, effective October 1, 2023, a 76 per cent increase.

The Chief Justice's current salary is $50,350.

The SRC has recommended increasing this to $60,919, effective April 1, 2023, an increase of 21 per cent.

Government ministers who are cabinet and non-cabinet members currently have respective monthly salaries of $41,030 and $33,940.

The commission is recommending their salaries be increased to $52,159 and $43,155 respectively, effective October 1, 2023 – increases of 27 per cent.

A non-cabinet minister can be defined as a minister in a ministry or a minister of state. They do not attend cabinet meetings.

Senators who are not government ministers or parliamentary secretaries currently receive salaries of $13,060.

This includes government senators who are neither ministers or parliamentary secretaries, independent and opposition senators.

The SRC is recommending their salaries be increased to $17,020, effective October 1, 2023.

Members of the House of Representatives who are neither ministers nor parliamentary secretaries now receive monthly salaries of $17,410

The commission recommends an increase to $22,695, effective October 1, 2023.

Government MPs who are not ministers or parliamentary secretaries and 18 opposition MPs, apart from Persad-Bissessar, will benefit from this increase.

The salary a parliamentarian receives is based on the substantive position they hold.

While Dr Rowley is the Diego Martin West MP, as Prime Minister, he receives a monthly salary in line with this position, and not that of an MP.

The same applies to Persad-Bissessar, who is Siparia MP.

The THA Chief Secretary and Minority Leader now receive salaries of $41,030 and $16,540 respectively.

The 120th report recommends respective increases of $52,159 and $28,771.

These increases would take effect October 1, 2023 and April 1, 2023, respectively.

Salary increases are also recommended for local-government officials. Chairmen of regional corporations (such as Mayaro/Rio Claro and Toco/Sangre Grande) are paid monthly salaries of $15, 670.

The 120th report proposes increasing this to $25,676 effective April 1.

The monthly salaries of members of city or borough corporations (such as San Fernando and Chaguanas) vary.

But increases are recommended for them, effective April 1, 2023.

Salary increases are also recommended for elected councillors and nominated aldermen, to take effect from the same date.

The Commissioner of Police currently receives $31,080 monthly.

The SRC is recommending an increase to $43,155, effective April 1, 2023.

Under Section 140 of the Constitution, the members of the SRC are appointed by the President, after consultation with the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader.

The SRC reviews the salaries and other conditions of service of 235 entities, from the President to state counsel in the Judicial and Legal Service. This represents approximately 950 people.

Section 141 (2) of the Constitution says the SRC is required to submit its reports to the President, who forwards a copy to the Prime Minister for presentation to Cabinet and subsequent laying in the House and Senate.

The 120th report says the SRC is an independent body which "provides objective and impartial assessments of salaries and compensation, reducing the risk of political bias or influence."

The laying of this report in the House on November 15 comes against a background where other entities are experiencing challenges over wage negotiations for their members.

One such group is the Seamen and Waterfront Workers Trade Union (SWWTU), which is refusing to accept a two per cent salary increase for the 2014-2017 period from the Port Authority and insisting on a 12 per cent increase, which was agreed to in 2015 under the UNC-led People's Partnership coalition government.

Another group is the Public Services Association (PSA), which has refused to accept a four per cent wage offer from the Chief Personnel Officer (CPO) for its members.