PSA delighted: NIB workers suffered under PNM

FELISHA THOMAS, Public Services Association (PSA) president, welcomed Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar's promise to pay the 2014-2016 arrears and higher salaries owed to some 600 employees and 350 retirees of the National Insurance Board (NIB), as announced in the House of Representatives on September 12.

"I know it is shocking to hear we are in 2025 and you have workers in this country living on 2013 salaries – and likewise for public officers who are in the same situation.

"The difference though is that this period (2014-2016) was previously settled.

"This agreement was registered in the court and the then minister of finance (Colm Imbert) prevented the employer from settling these negotiations. So for a number of years this matter has been before the court.

"Today we could finally say that for the NIB workers, their settlement has been delivered by the Prime Minister, a promise made on the campaign trail and a promise delivered holding office."

Thomas alleged Imbert had a "frivolous excuse" for not paying the NIB hikes, amid other unsettled negotiations.

"But that is no reason to disregard a court order, because once a collective order is registered in court it becomes an order of the court.

"So what the then minister of finance would have done is disregard an order of the court, by not allowing the NIB to pay the settlement with regards to those negotiations."

Newsday asked about the source of the funds to pay the NIB wage-hikes.

Thomas said she did not expect any rise in people's NIB contributions.

"We have over the years settled negotiations on behalf of those workers and there has never been any impact on the contributions payable to the NIB as a result of the settlement of negotiations."

Thomas thanked the PM. "Today, NIB workers who have suffered under the hands of the PNM can say they have received their just due.

"After 12 years with no increase in salary, NIB workers have more than hope. They have a settlement which has now been upheld by the Honourable Prime Minister."