CIG comes through on promised CS pay hike
(CNS): Around 1,500 civil servants will be getting an early Christmas present form government following an announcement Thursday evening that the stagnation in public sector workers’ pay was being addressed in this month’s pay packet. Following through on a promise made in the premier’s strategic policy statement more than one year ago, government workers were told the money had been found to fund pay increase for high performing personnel whose salary grades or pay points had not moved in a number of years.
“This increase is the final stage in a phased programme to remedy pay stagnation, which government began in December 2015, with the award of increments to teachers and policemen whose pay had not increased for three or more years and who had received favourable performance evaluations,” Premier Alden McLaughlin said.
| Duration of Stagnation | Point Placement Movement |
| 3-4 years | 1 |
| 5-6 years | 2 |
| 7 and above | 3 |
The pay hikes will be effective immediately for more than 1,500 workers who have not had a pay rise for three or more years and who have earned a satisfactory performance appraisal.
Officials said, however, that civil servants on required leave or extended sick leave will not get the pay hike until they return to work. And while the increase will be in December’s wages, it is not retroactive.
The government said this was the final step in an overall programme to roll back austerity measures and to address legacy issues but it won’t be repeated in future. Going forward, officials said, there will be a revised civil service pay policy that considers movement within grade.
McLaughlin said the salary increases were largely funded by savings within human resource budgets. Combined with government’s prudent financial management, the result had created repeated surpluses in public finances, some of which were reinvested to reward the productivity of the civil service.
“The hard work and sacrifices of civil servants played an essential role in helping us to reach this goal. I am pleased to lead a government that takes care of the men and women who strive daily to do good work and to serve the Cayman Islands community,” the premier said.
Deputy Governor Franz Manderson said that in future civil service pay policies will be closely tied to demonstrable results at both an individual and organisational level. “We aim to be a world-class civil service which values its employees and holds them accountable for their performance,” he said.
He added that the launch in early 2017 of a five-year strategic plan for the civil service should improve the way that the civil service operates and delivers its core services.
Since taking office the PPM administration has given a one-time honorarium of 2.2% last year, an across-the-board cost of living adjustment of 4% in 2015 and a 2.5% honorarium in 2014 to government workers.
Category: Local News
large number of comments! wow! just lets you know how important money is becoming in this society…….sad! and just how cash strapped caymanians ha e become? banks y insurance companie
..
Oh boy, really ? Want their votes bad. Something is very wrong here. Not impressed. We need some common sense wanna be politicians to stand up. What a mess.
I have noted the sad comments here about vote buying. What is sad is that when the government does something that will affect mostly Caymanians it is wrong. But when they do something for mostly non Caymanians it’s not enough.
I can now understand why the sad posters left their countries to come to our paradise.
This was the right decision at the right time. I love it.
All I can say is that my light Bill is down my trade and business license cost less and now I will get more business because Civil Servants have more money to spend.
I am a greatful Civil Servant. I will receive a $350 dollar raise in December. Thank God my Government cares about me.
I have worked in the Civil Service for over 20 years and these pass 3 years is the best I have been treated.
I see poor performers leaving and our good work being rewarded.
Thank you to my Government for making this bold decision. We are very thankful.
Should have spent those pass three years in English lessons instead.
Got your vote!…now that’s Progressive!
Your comment is sad and sadly illinformed. Poor performers remain, are promoted and the culture of jobs for Caymanians has ensured that poor performance is rewarded. I full understand the need fir givernment to provide jobs but not at any cost. That said I do not mind by vote being bought. I need the money.
I’m not following the negative comments.
An employer gives its staff a raise based on performance when it could afford to do so.
What better time to give a raise than Christmas.
If I was thinking of votes I would give the raise in April.
Thank you CIG Government and Premier for showing that you really care.
terrible wages, people making nothing. working to pay rent and nothing else
If that na some strategic thinking. I bet this was Marcos brilliant idea. Give them a raise so we can start making um pay for their own insurance. Foget about the thousands of Caymanians who earn less that $2500 a month they will have to suck it up.
Ummmm….engage brain please. The fact is that this pay rise was planned from 2015 and paid out when it could be afforded.
The majority of persons given this award are the lowest paid Civil servants some who earn less than $2500. In fact before their pay rise that was the starting salary for a police immigration and customs officers.
While the private sector pays trainee staff make much more than that.
I am proud of this decision which is going to boast our local economy because 75% of Civil Servants are Caymanians.
Thr Private sector is dominated by non caymanian workers who send their raises and bonuses off island.
I read these bizarre comments about the needed and deserved pay rises for our dear Civil Servants who we depend on every day to take care of us.
I was so alarmed by these comments that I had to turn off the computer and think and pray.
I mean who gets up with such negative thoughts who slams the Government for every thing they do for its people who has time to just complain complain and offer no solutions unless it’s. Read the Miller Shaw report….really!!
But I did the right thing. I prayed for those negative posters who obviously needs to reflect on their lives.
I feel so good about this decision. But I ask the Government to make sure it takes better care of its staff going forward and not have to take this action again.
My private sector employer gives me a small raise each year based on performance and bonus if the company hits it’s targets. This should happened in government.
Why are we giving them raises??? Has anyone been to Immigration lately? 15 windows, maybe 3 opened. Customs, miserable officers, long lines, police pick me up off the floor from laughter…..
Cynical and disgusting vote buying. They kept it from the doctors who haven’t had a increase in the fees from health insurance companies for over 10-years and gave it to civil servants whose pay — the government says — has not increased for 7-years. Now that’s Progressive!
No we havent and SOME of us work very hard for the 2200.00 i make each month
LOL, why not just give them all new fridge/freezers or 50″ TVs? This is vote buying pure and simple. Last time I checked that was against the law.
What a coincidence! The last pay raise came along during the last election cycle too!
10:42. Where did you get that from. That was a pay deduction.
Thank you Premier and Deputy Governor for keeping your promises.
This extra money will allow me to support my family a bit better and not live from a salary advance.
Stop being jealous of civil servants who works for an employer who actually cares.
What’s the issue here. Raises are given every year in the private sector plus the huge bonuses. My friend just bought a car with hers.
I was at an awards gala last night and saw what life in the private sector is about. Huge salaries day trips to sting Ray city and lavish offices.
So let’s run the Civil Service like a business. But see we can’t. If the General Registry goes to sting ray city the entire private sector shuts down.
Let’s support our Civil servants who have made this island the Paradise that you enjoy.
private sector is not leeching off taxpayers…..
anon 2:46 you do realise that we are being paid for jobs right. where does the leaching come from?
Do you work for your salary? Because if you do you’re about the only one.
Mr. Primer, what about giving the seamen that can prove that they went to sea for 10 years or more and was Caymanian living in Cayman is,. a pay raise, it been a long time (close to 10 years), that they never got a raise after all they were the one that laid the foundation for this country,by sending their money home building the ecomony. They were the ones that the Waiver was put in place for and still enjoyed by all caymanian until today.
PPM voting buying at its best…Now that’s Progressive!!!
Remember, civil servants are for life and not just for Christmas. Or Elections.
Aaaah boy i wondered when this was coming i thought they were going to wait for the PPM national symbol the Butterball Turkey to be handed out before they offered the real Incentive/bribe to vote for them. Well Anti Corruption commission please feel free to step in at anytime and give your stamp of approval of good Governunce!!! The UK & FCO bias is so blatant you have to cut it with Fire axe.
Methinks 8.41 that thou doth not understand much.
It is disgraceful that PPM are openly buying the vote of the civil service just in time for elections. Can you imagine their reactions if they were in Opposition and McKeeva’s UDP did the same? Alden Marco Wayne Tara and the rest would be crying foul calling for investigations and intervention from the Governor and Auditor General.
More proof that the PPM is no different to UDP when it comes to buy votes with public funds
Copay soon come! Give it all back and more.
Uncivil…really engage brain.
Good God almighty. Even though the cost of living has fallen recently.
Anyone recall the Miller Shaw Report? I guess not Marco.
The cost of living has not fallen.
The cost of fuel may have fallen, but the 22% customs duties that has caused our supermarkets and stores to raise their prices and effectively our food and clothing expenses has surely not fallen.
That, coupled with the overwhelming competition for residential rentals due to the unplanned increase in population (with about 2000 – 3000 new residents since Jan 2016) which has caused landlords to take advantage of the demand and raise property rental prices to an all-time high. (great for them and the rental agents)
Even if you save $75 on your utility bill and $100 on your petrol bill; if you are now paying $1900 for a rental that was once $1400 – the bragged-about changes the PPM claims to have influenced for decreasing the cost of living are completed ineffective.
The only ones who would really benefit are the ones who own their homes or have mortgages. And after now paying $200 to $500 (or more) in higher rent, I have still not factored in the heightened prices at the supermarket.
And, according to the Cayman ESO office in their 2015 report there are approximately 26,780 households in the Cayman Islands, and of that number 12,829 of them are rented.
So I do not want to hear anymore of the PPM “lower cost-of-living” rhetoric please.
spot on…ppm have got lucky regarding fall of oil prices…that is there big ‘achievement’ after 4 years….zzzzzzzz
the 22 percent was reduced to 20 percent for the stores but was not passed on to the comsumers especially in C. Brac
Which Customs Tariff Law are you reading my friend?
6;59 are you wake ? The Miller Shaw report was rubbish. It compared apples with cassava.
Their entire research was so flawed it is pathetic. Fact one you can’t compare Cayman public service with countries whose public services does not include doctors and nurses . My 10 year old knows better.
The EY report was much better and focused on business process reform and some privatisation. Have you noticed all of the outline business cases being published as a result of this report
I bet you are the same person who says. Just fix the dump…. but I doubt you built your home without a plan.
Disgusting! Vote buying at its worst.
I have no problem with civil servants reviving a raise but why not make it based on performance?
Cant you read?
“…government workers were told the money had been found to fund pay increase for high performing personnel whose salary grades or pay points had not moved in a number of years.”
And how would you explain the raises being given to those on required leave? Surely they cannot have favourable reviews or be high performing if they have been told to stay away!
If they return not before please read before you speak
Practice what you preach. The idea that they can be on required leave and still get a raise if and when they return proves that the raises are not based on merit because if someone is placed on required leave they obviously were not performing satisfactorily let alone in a way that benefited anyone but themselves. The Government needs to stop giving our money away.
2:36. You mean even if they were found not guilty. Wow I’m glad I don’t work for you.
You would actually punish me for something I didn’t do. Only in the wacky private sector.
They have been on leave, usually for an extended time with our glorious Government. That means they have not been working regardless of guilt or innocence…NO raise!
That is what s happening. (1) If you’re on required leave, no raise. (2) If you come back to work AND then get a good performance review (the next review period is NEXT year) then you’d be eligible for the increase (assuming your pay has been stagnant for the 3 or more years). – So basically you’re complaining that people are treated fairly.
Spot on 10:22am
Agreed.
yep this is civil service reform…ppm style……zzzzzzzzzzzz
read miller-shaw or e&y reports…………
just another day in wonderland…….
10:30. The Miller Shaw report was worthless and made no sense and all recommendations of the EY report are being actioned.
This is fantastic news. Let’s support our Civil servants. Without them we would archive nothing and you would not be in Cayman.
Anonymous 6:56, Are you a civil service employee?
you need help….
all financed by the taxpayers and private sector…..
All recommendations of the EY report are being actioned….you remind me of Bill Clinton and his ability to say things about Lewinsky that were simply not true and then attempt to justify them by redefining the words.
Go on then, explain how completely ignoring the majority of the recommendations and categorically stating that you would not implement others translates into “actioned”.
“…all recommendations of the EY report are being actioned”. Really? Could you give some hard evidence of this (as opposed to wishy washy foolishness put out by Mrs Rodrigues’ team about focus groups and initiatives and so forth)?
9:53. Your lack of knowledge is staggering. Read the progress report. Read about the projects that have been completed and those that are about to be completed. Focused groups were never involved in the project.
Bet you work in the private sector for an employer who treats you badly but gives you a fat bonus every year .
Cayman is paradise and the Civil Service rocks!!
Christ Jesus, 12:14, I’m impressed and so sorry that my “lack of knowledge is staggering”! Tell us -ie actually list them- about “all the projects that have been completed”. I missed them. Though I did see that Radio Cayman was NOT to be privatized as EY suggested so I guess they completed that. Looking forward to a list from you since you are really up with what’s been implemented (not a vague reference to some other document that is hard/impossible to find and of dubious validity when you do find it).
6:23 I repeat your lack of knowledge is staggering…you only know of one recommendation about our beloved radio station. Call 911 for help.
Read the strategic outline cases that have been published. Just read a bit and you will be impressed.
My advice read research before responding. Thats what most people do.
I am a civil servant and I can assure you 4:17 (and also 6:23) the “strategic outline cases” you are praising to heaven are pure BS word spinning to keep a certain person busy and to make it look as if government is doing something about EY. It isn’t. It won’t..
Yes I am a very proud Civil Servant who feels that my hard work over many years is finally being rewarded. How many of you making these nasty comments have had your pay frozen for 15 years?
The private sector relies on the Civil Service to make their big bucks but refuse to give credit where credit is due.
Why didn’t you complain when teachers police immigration and customs got these same pay rises a year ago.
Now that the rest of the Civil Service has been taken care of its a problem. Shame on you for all the negative posts.
If you only think for a minute. The government gave the money for this award when they could afford it. The DG made it clear that if we have not been a good performer we will not get this award.
This is exactly what any good company would do for its employees.
It’s the other way around. CS relies on the Private Sector to function.
Typical hypocrisy by the ‘progressives’ who claim to be fiscally responsible. SMH
Miller- Shaw was the worst copy/paste report in history. A semi-literate HS student could have done that in less than an hour. It was all based on disproved right wing ideology, with no economic backing.
yep and lots of findings reconfirmed by e&y a few years later….
I am so proud to be a civil servant. Finally a Government and Senior Team that really cares about their hard working staff.
Many of my colleagues have not had a pay rise for 10 years or more.
Thank you Premier and Deputy Governor.
What about those of us who have retired and only getting less than $400.00 per month, i guess we are forgotten.?
Yes, unfortunately.
Yep, yep! The treatment of our civil service retirees is quite disheartening (the ones that did not hold decision-making positions especially)
Should have thought about that before you retired.
If you had planned for your retirement that would be a nice little bonus. I learned at a young age to plan for the future.
I hope you are not one of those many complaining who, in lieu of pension, got gratuities at the end of contracts then Contracted Officers Supplements every month in addition to their salaries but spent them as they got them living the high life and now are complaining because they don’t get pension. They were supposed to save the money they got but didn’t and now complain about “having nothing”.
LOL!!!
It doesn’t take much to buy votes from our people. They have been in office 4 years and finally just before the elections (and no better time than before Christmas) the raise you have waited 10 years for is here.
Do they really care? Or are they ensuring their re-election?
If my employer hadn’t given me a raise in ten years and I thought I was worth more, I would have moved on.
5 :49 your attitude is typical private sector worker. It’s all about the money. Civil Servants actually care about their country and about helping others. Please keep your thoughts in the private sector.
Really? Then can you explain, why it takes 4 hours to clear a shipment at customs while it can be viewed by all present, that customs officers are doing very little and claim the paperwork is being cleared by someone out of sight in a back office. Can you explain why almost every phone call to a government department goes to voicemail and no one calls back, can you explain why e-mails go unanswered frequently, can you explain the long lines and slow service at vehicle licensing where no one cares how long the public have to wait. Shall I go on?
I understood there have been 3 pay adjustments in the last 2 years and ALL civil servants received them. As for rewarding performance if you look at all the results of the A.G.’s internal audits performance has been abysmal.
The way government is doing this does not make much sense…. In some departments an officer at the top of his scale makes more than a supervisor at the buttom of his scale. If promoted less 3 years ago… No benefit from the so call fix. These are the discrepancies they need to attend to.
In your face vote buying!
Just Another Day in Absurdistan
Must be an election on the horizon. Ya think!!
Won’t help them much. Everyone I know wants change in Government. The Trump effect is real.
Is next year the elections? Just wondering…
Why not give CS raises on performance? I mean entering the island last week, the immigration officer was one grumpy lady. Now the customs officer was very polite and proffetional.
8:22 that’s one person out of 3600. Are you saying we should punish the good for the bad. Our immigration is far better than UK Canada and USA.
Stop being jealous of our Civil service..
And what about those staff that work in the medical field i.e. the cooks! that have not got an increase in over three years.
Gotta buy as many votes as possible there is an election to win
I see no problem with the civil servants who have had a good review getting a raise. What I don’t understand is why the government cannot give their pay raises either on the anniversary of the individual joining the civil service or to coincide with financial year end of government. A lot of civil servants work very hard and long hours for this country and should be compensated with a yearly raise as is done in private sector. Please never forget that there as many slackers in the private sector, and believe me they also get their yearly raise. I think the government has created a lot of unnecessary problems by not doing the right thing in the correct manner. Please do not stir up ire on the civil servants by trying to win the election six months before the votes are cast and counted. This seemed to have been rolled out without any consideration of the backlash. PPM don’t try to look good by opening the civil servants up to redicule. To the public, always remember that private sector would not function without the civil servants. You owe them that much.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!