Partial Retroactive Payments Expected to Begin in January Next Year says PM Browne

The government is currently working to secure approximately $35 million to fulfill outstanding back-pay obligations owed to public servants.

Finance Minister and Prime Minister Gaston Browne has indicated that all efforts are being directed toward enabling this payment to be made by January 2025 at the latest.

During a recent session of the House of Representatives, Prime Minister Browne addressed a question from opposition parliamentarian Richard Lewis regarding the government’s plan for these payments.

He acknowledged the history of delayed payments to public servants in previous administrations but emphasized his commitment to avoiding such delays.

“We have determined to pay the back-pay as frequently as possible,” Browne stated.

He explained that the back-pay stems from the negotiation period covering 2021 to 2023, estimated at around $100 million.

The government previously made a payment equivalent to one month’s salary in 2022 and plans to disburse the remaining owed amounts in tranches to minimize financial strain.

If all goes as planned, the January payment would account for 70 percent of the outstanding balance, given that the government’s monthly wage bill is roughly $35 million.

This government initiative aims to establish a more efficient payment system for public servants, in contrast to past practices in which individuals waited many years for compensation.

Prime Minister Browne clarified that the forthcoming payment would be part of the total back pay owed, noting that some public workers’ unions have expressed concerns that could delay the payment process.

He mentioned that while there had been hopes for a December payment, protracted negotiations could push the timeline, making January the soonest date for disbursement.