Topic: Civil servants

Under new personnel regulations, the Civil Service no longer has to wait for the outcome of a criminal trial to determine if staff who have been arrested and charged should lose their jobs.

Premier Juliana O'Connor-Connolly came bearing gifts for Cayman's public service pensioners and civil servants Thursday night as she announced increases in pension payments and a one-time bonus for government workers.

Even though retired civil servant James Watler has 43 years of service under his belt, he has not stopped giving of his time and talent, continuing to work within the community.

Government has committed to consider implementing, as soon as possible, salary increases for civil servants amounting to 13% over a three-year period.

Cayman’s civil servants have welcomed the news that they will be receiving larger paychecks next month after Premier Alden McLaughlin announced a 5 percent pay increase backdated to July 1.

No deal has been reached on a proposal to make Cayman Islands civil servants pay for a portion of their healthcare premiums, despite claims by the previous government administration that such a move would be imperative in balancing upcoming budgets.

Monthly stipends for elderly and disabled people, retired seamen and veterans will be increased dramatically over the next two years. The Cayman Islands government will also create a new “ex-gratia” payment to top up the pensions of long-serving retired civil servants who currently receive less each month than people on poor relief.

Staff at the Department of Children and Family Services have been learning sign language to help them communicate with deaf children.