[UPDATED] PM orders 'immediate' payment of salary arrears for 950 NIB staff, retirees

PRIME Minister Kamla Persad-Bissesssar has ordered the immediate payment of salary arrears to some 950 current and past staff of the National Insurance Board (NIB), she told the House of Representatives in a ministerial statement on September 12. Persad-Bissessar also said NIB staff will also benefit from an immediate adjustment to their salaries.

The sum covers a collective award for 2014-2016, which she said had been legally registered but then never implemented by the former PNM government whom she dubbed as “vindictive, petty and spiteful.” She said this announcement showed her government fulfilling its workers agenda and would be followed by more similar actions.

Some 600 current employees and 350 retirees are to be paid arrears, she said, although not detailing where the money would be coming from.

Her upbeat mood contrasted with the Opposition’s deep concerns over the termination of several hundred workers nationwide from the Unemployment Relief Programme (URP) and the prior firing of over 10,700 workers from the Cepep programme and 4,608 reforestation workers. However the government has dubbed Cepep and the URP as being rife with corruption and favouritism.

Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles in a text to Newsday later, promised to speak on the issue after the PNM general council meeting due at Balisier House, Port of Spain, on September 13.

Persad-Bissessar’s announcement was keenly welcomed by Public Services Association (PSA) president Felisha Thomas whose union represented the NIB workers.

Thomas supported the UNC during the April 28 general election campaign and even appeared on a platform.

The PSA last March had written to then finance minister Vishnu Dhanpaul asking him to intervene to authorise the payments. The union had lamented that despite negotiations being settled, no ministerial approval was given for payments to be made.

The Prime Minister told the House, for over a decade NIB staff had waited in frustration and deprivation for what was lawfully theirs, after “a legally binding collective agreement” between the PSA and NIB.

“That agreement was solemnly settled, duly signed, and lawfully registered, binding on all parties with the full force of law. Its terms were unambiguous; its obligations undeniable; its enforcement inescapable. And yet, in an egregious and unconscionable act of political obstruction, its benefits were deliberately withheld from the very workers it was designed to protect.”

She said despite the “unambiguous and binding nature” of that agreement, the former PNM administration had deliberately blocked the NIB from honouring its obligations to workers.

“In doing so, they denied 600 current employees and 350 past employees their lawful entitlements for almost six years, effectively withholding salary increases that had been due for over 12 years.

“They placed political interference above the law, sacrificed justice on the altar of expediency, and in the process robbed thousands of citizens of their rightful salary adjustments and arrears.”

‘PNM cruelty disguised as policy’

Persad-Bissessar lamented a devastating human cost, in almost six years of denial, frustration and prolonged litigation.

“This was no accident. It was the result of deliberate and egregious political interference. The PNM chose politics over people, sacrificing justice to protect their narrow interests and reducing citizens to collateral damage in reckless political games.” She said NIB workers and their children had suffered years of deprivation and lost opportunities.

“This was not governance. It was cruelty disguised as policy, inflicting needless suffering on ordinary families across our nation.”

She said it was not any administrative lapse, but a grave moral failure, betrayal of workers, and wilful dereliction of duty to the citizenry.

The PM dubbed the former government’s actions “petty, spiteful, and rooted in partisan abuse of power.”

Alleging state machinery was weaponised against NIB workers, she said, “Entire communities were forced to bear the cost of arrogance, vindictiveness, and political spite masquerading as policy.”

Persad-Bissessar declared her restoration of workers rights, dignity and humanity, and her upholding of the rule of law as the bedrock of TT’s democracy. “Today, my government has acted decisively to correct this grave injustice and to restore what was denied for far too long.

“This action is not only about back pay and arrears.” She said it was about honouring lawful agreements, defending basic rights, and proving no citizen was ever beneath the protection of the law.

“Accordingly, Cabinet has directed the NIB to implement the agreed salary adjustments with immediate effect (and) facilitate the full and prompt payment of all outstanding arrears to affected employees without delay.”

“This is not merely the execution of a contract. This is the restoration of justice. It is the fulfilment of our workers’ agenda.

“And it is the delivery of another campaign promise – another promise kept to the people of TT.”

The PM said while the PNM regime blocks justice, the UNC government restores it and gives workers their lawful entitlements.

“This decision reflects my government’s philosophy of inclusive and collaborative governance and our unwavering commitment to advancing the dignity and well-being of workers in every sector.

“It marks the beginning of a new era of governance, one in which workers will never again be bargaining chips or collateral damage in political games, but respected as partners in national development.”

She hailed the PSA and NIB staff for their patience, resilience, and steadfast faith that justice would prevail.

PM: More settlements coming

The PM said workers were not merely employees, but the heart and soul of the nation, and promoters of democracy, communities and the economy.

“Let me assure this honourable House and the national community: this is not an isolated measure.

“It is the first step in a comprehensive programme to address and settle outstanding negotiations across the public service and state sector.”

“And this is my solemn pledge to the people of TT: under my leadership, we will always be a nation where rights are respected, democracy is upheld, and justice is delivered.

“A country where progress is shared with every section of society, seen in the dignity of work, felt in the strength of families, and lived in the daily hope of every community across the length and breadth of our country. A nation where partisan gamesmanship and political abuse will never again be placed above the people, and where the true measure of our democracy will always be the welfare and dignity of all its citizens.”

This story has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

PRIME Minister Kamla Persad-Bissesssar has ordered the immediate payment of salary arrears to some 950 current and past staff of the National Insurance Board (NIB), she told the House of Representatives in a ministerial statement on September 12.

The sum covers a collective award for 2014-2016 which she said had been legally registered but then never implemented by the former PNM government whom she dubbed as "vindictive, petty and spiteful." She said this announcement showed her government fulfilling its workers agenda and would be followed by more similar actions.

Some 600 current employees and 350 retirees are to be paid arrears, she said, although not detailing where the money would be coming from.

Her upbeat mood contrasted with the opposition's deep concerns over the termination of several hundred workers nationwide from the Unemployment Relief Programme (URP) and the prior firing of over 10,700 workers from the Cepep programme and 4,608 reforestation workers. However the government has dubbed Cepep and the URP as being rife with corruption and favouritism.

Persad-Bissessar's announcement was keenly welcomed by Public Services Association (PSA) president Felisha Thomas – talking to Newsday – whose union represented the NIB workers.

The PM said for over a decade NIB staff had awaited in frustration and deprivation for what was lawfully theirs, after "a legally binding collective agreement" between the PSA and NIB.

"That agreement was solemnly settled, duly signed, and lawfully registered, binding on all parties with the full force of law. Its terms were unambiguous; its obligations undeniable; its enforcement inescapable. And yet, in an egregious and unconscionable act of political obstruction, its benefits were deliberately withheld from the very workers it was designed to protect."

She said despite the "unambiguous and binding nature" of that agreement, the former PNM administration had deliberately blocked the NIB from honouring its obligations to workers.

"In doing so, they denied 600 current employees and 350 past employees their lawful entitlements for almost six years, effectively withholding salary increases that had been due for over 12 years.

"They placed political interference above the law, sacrificed justice on the altar of expediency, and in the process robbed thousands of citizens of their rightful salary adjustments and arrears."

Persad-Bissessar lamented a devastating human cost, in almost six years of denial, frustration and prolonged litigation.

She declared her restoration of workers rights, dignity and humanity, and her upholding of the rule of law as the bedrock of TT's democracy.

"Today, my government has acted decisively to correct this grave injustice and to restore what was denied for far too long.

"This action is not only about back pay and arrears." She said it was about honouring lawful agreements, defending basic rights, and proving no citizen was ever beneath the protection of the law.

"Accordingly, Cabinet has directed the NIB to implement the agreed salary adjustments with immediate effect (and) facilitate the full and prompt payment of all outstanding arrears to affected employees without delay."

"This is not merely the execution of a contract. This is the restoration of justice. It is the fulfilment of our workers’ agenda.

She hailed the PSA and NIB staff for their patience, resilience, and steadfast faith that justice would prevail.