Government has committed to consider implementing, as soon as possible, salary increases for civil servants amounting to 13% over a three-year period.
Lawmakers, meeting in Parliament last Thursday, voted unanimously in favour of a motion brought by Bodden Town West MP Chris Saunders seeking the pay bump for government workers.
Saunders said these are “challenging times” and civil servants are struggling, like everyone else, with rising inflation.
The MP, who originally sought consideration of a 5% increase on 1 July 2023; 4% on 1 July 2024; and 4% on 1 July 2025, amended the dates in the resolution after securing government agreement to approve his motion.
Premier Wayne Panton, speaking on the motion, said there is “no doubt” Cayman’s civil servants deserve an increase, but the 1 July date was not possible.
He did agree to support the motion, in its amended form.
Saunders, in a broadcast message, said he was pleased that government, as the largest employer on island, agreed to the motion.
He said he also hoped private sector employers will be encouraged to follow suit.
“We have all been affected by the increased cost of living from food to fuel to interest rates to insurance and there are no indicators out there to say there will be relief anytime soon. The whole island needs a pay increase,” Saunders said.
Saunders also sought the consideration of a performance incentive compensation scheme within the civil service starting in 2023, but he dropped this from the motion as he said something similar was already in the works.
In addition, he secured support for two other motions in the House – one for government to consider implementing free basic healthcare services for children and seniors as soon as possible; and the other for the establishment of a Fair Employment Commission.
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