Civil servants could get 13% raise over 3 years
(CNS): Chris Saunders (BTW), now an independent MP who sits on the opposition benches, managed to steer through his private member’s motion calling for a significant increase in government workers’ wages last week, something he had sought to support in the budget preparations before he lost his job as finance minister. The government agreed to raise public sector pay by another 13% as soon as possible.
As he presented his motion in the early hours of Friday, 28 April, Saunders said he brought the motion largely because of the massive increases in interest rates and the impact that has had on the cost of local mortgages and other loans. He pointed out that inflation here is fuelled from outside the country, so there are limits on the things that any Cayman Islands government can do to manage inflation.
Saunders accurately predicted an additional 0.25% interest rate hike by the US Federal Reserve, which happened less than a week later, and warned that fuel prices were increasing again and inflation was not likely to fall anytime soon. He noted that this pay increase proposal is less than 1.5% of the government’s total budget and said that a case had been made by several MPs during last month’s debate on the government’s Strategic Policy Statement.
Agreeing to consider the proposal, Premier Wayne Panton said he would love to be able to deliver the salary increases over the current budget period, as there was no mention of another cost of living allowance (COLA) in the SPS. However, he said there was work still to be done on the budget.
Panton said that there was no doubt that civil servants worked really hard and deserved another pay increase, as they have challenges just like everybody else in this current inflationary environment.
Deputy Governor Franz Manderson thanked the MPs for recognising the “amazing work” that civil servants do and said that while public sector workers were striking in other countries over pay, civil servants in the Cayman Islands turn up to work every day.
“That is because the government has consistently shown appreciation and shown civil servants we care about them,” Manderson said, as he warned that pay increases needed to be sustainable.
Watch the debate on CIG social media.
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Category: Government Finance, Politics
While all Cayman laws apply equally to civil servants, the LABOR LAWS do not! Wow.
So many expats know this is a fast guaranteed route to status. With free healthcare and pension on top of it.
They’re bring in their own by the day and pressuring out or not hiring locals.
Especially after covid.
“Not In The budget” for locals. But it’s there for expats of all creeds.
The prevalence of cronyism in government is evidenced by the frequent occurrence of managers hiring their unqualified or inexperienced friends for positions, and those who dare to challenge this practice are often subjected to bullying and forced out.
they just want people who won’t quit after a month
1:49 You are so full of BS! CIG is over 75% caymanian. Why don’t you humor us with the proof behind the sack of poop you have posted.
You mean “Paper Caymanians”. Come see for yourself.
Saunders attempting to buy out his victims based on what the Premier said his reasons were for firing him
The civil service policy is to remain politically neutral, but the moment you cast a vote the rule is broken. I have never voted in order to remain neutral.
Im all for it if it results in DCI, Companies Registry, Passport Office, Lands and Survey or WORC answering the phone or responding to an email!
This is typical political strategy. Politicians need the largest voting block to vote for them, so they tryto buy them. The CS vote is huge.
Check it out for yourself, it worked in Newlands and West bay and now Chris is using it in Bodden Town, I hope those people know they are being pimped out!!
In light of the recent extraordinary exam results clearly the entire department of education should get a massive pay rise. Or b, maybe they should all be fired.
Ah, the tired trope of placing the blame on anyone but the parents, students and the culture.
What culture? Blaming everyone else for all of Cayman’s problems?
Shining example of the new Don’t Care for Locals floatsam that’s still coming ashore in greed only.
They do not deserve this.
Only give to those still making less than $3,000 in full time work.
Yes this is real across wider government and us criminal pay!
Them at the top don’t deserve a red shilling more.
I guess Chris is trying to get the Civil Servants back on his side after his bad behavior to include bullying. I also suppose he believes that us civil servants who vote in his area will soon forget
So a question for you Franzie Pants, will this equate to a 13% increase in CS productivity over the next 3 years?
#worldclassmyass
😂 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂
Introduce a differentiated pay system where civil servants delivering outstanding or poor service are paid accordingly. All the performance issues will be solved and the budgets will be in a much better position too.
The cost of living raise was great and greatly appreciated dont get me wrong.
Its clearly not enough to keep up with inflation if im totally honest.
I’ll tell you, it’s a hell of a lot better than the COLA I got, which is zero. That’s also the COLA I can anticipate in the future. So, if I’m totally honest, I think you’ve less of a right to complain.
Look, we’re all in this together, more or less. It seems to me that the government’s works are increasing the divide between the rich/foreign and the poor/native. I don’t expect that will improve. I say that because I don’t blame you or others for getting a better deal working for Civil Service. No, that has always been the best gig for those who have the sand to work for a living.
So, good for you, and those of us in the private sector will try to keep up. Much respect to you for being responsible enough to work for your upkeep. It seems like more people than ever before have just given up.
I fear there is an austerity coming that will draw the lines so very much closer. We are already seeing a breakdown of infrastructure. I have hope for us, but only if we can find a way to work together, as we used to when I was a boy.
My company provides COLA. I empathize with you that yours doesn’t (and that it’s not like you can effectively organize to push for better remuneration policy). If you have the ability to do so, you can certainly communicate with your employer with your feet. Stagnating wages are of real concern in exacerbating inequality and squeezing out the middle class.
quickest way to get fired… talk to a manager, lol this isn’t the UK!
I am so happy the mental health facility will be operational soon by our amazing civil service.
reading these comments illustrates why mental health is so important.
thank you civil servants for all that you do to make the Cayman Islands the Jewel of the world.
you can thank civil servants if you never want to leave the islands.
chances are you get better services from CIG than you do back home. come on admit it.
private sector workers do get COLA’s and fat bonuses. shame on you for being so jealous when Caymanians get a little extra money.
And pensioners still on $1,000.
to 2.18 Some civil svc pensioners on under $300 per month.
Did you pay anything into your pension?
7:54, mostly those expats who got a Contracted Officers Supplement (COS) in lieu of pension for all the many years they worked on contract then when pensions came in they only earned that minimum amount in pensionable service. They were supposed to have saved or invested the COS but of course many just spent it living the good life in Cayman and are now complaining they didn’t get any pension.
Oh, Chris. You sly devil, you. Your attempts to pacify the civil service given your recent actions are as transparent as a piece of cellophane. It’s like watching a game of chess, but with none of the strategic moves of a master strategist.
Here’s a suggestion: instead of pandering to your clique of buddies, how about you stand up for what’s right for all Caymanians? I know it’s a radical idea, but it just might work.
Here are some policy ideas to chew on: protect the Caymanian product by restricting foreign investors from getting their grubby paws on our land resources; provide free education and trade schools to give all Caymanians a fighting chance; and improve public transport because, let’s be honest, our current system is as reliable as a chocolate teapot.
And for those keyboard warriors who think civil servants don’t deserve a raise – have you ever worked in the public sector? These hardworking folks don’t get bonuses and six figure salaries like the private sector, and many of them are struggling. It’s easy to criticize from the safety of your ivory tower, but who feels it knows it and civil servants should be applauded for their hard work especially given the challenges they face each day to do their jobs.
Yes, it is pure envy by the complainers that civil servants elect to forego bonuses and a less than competitive wage or salary for their longer term benefits. The private sector could well emulate this practice by investing their staff bonuses for their retirement instead of cutting the loose at 65 with no health insurance and an unlivable pension.
The Charity Commission in full effect. If this isn’t buying votes then don’t know what is. Can’t argue that if you excel in your job you deserve a pay rise but given that most civil servants are eligible for a Franzy purely by virtue of turning up for work, sticking to the “that’ll do” principle and not being arrested for a serious crime (minor misdemeanors are pretty much acceptable)…. world class.
So all the unheard status applicants are funding this considering we’re all paying triple what we should have paid for being here for 18 years.
I wonder if those CS who are suspended, on required leave or the ‘dirty little secrets’ hidden away by CIG on garden leave will get the pay rise too?
A joke this…. pay CS more??
Here is a LIST of the CURRENT open vacancies listed on GOV websites… ANNUAL salaries in CI$ listed:
(This beats private sector by miles on so many fronts… already). Now you want to add 13% ??
We in Private Sector have to try to match this and people wondering why products and services going thru the roof.
Do us a favor.. gives us ALL CS jobs please.
ACCOUNTS OFFICER I (PAYABLE): CI$45,804 – $60,108
AML/CTF & PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS SUPERVISOR: : CI$81,252 – $109,296
ASSISTANT EMPLOYMENT SERVICES OFFICER: CI$40,416 – $54,312
COMMITTEE SECRETARY: CI$45,804 – $60,108
DEPUTY CHIEF OFFICER (ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH): CI$106,056 – $139,164
DEPUTY REGISTRAR GENERAL (COMPLIANCE): CI$93,192 – $122,268
FINANCE MANAGER: CI$73,416 – $96,336
SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER: CI$90,912 – $122,268
GIS TECHNICIAN I: Salary Range: CI$44,700 – $60,108
HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER: CI$64,056 – $84,036
HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER: CI$45,804 – $60,108
LAND REGISTRY ASSISTANT: CI$36,600 – $42,260
MANAGER – PASSPORT SERVICES: CI$64,056 – $84,036
NATIONAL EPIDEMIOLOGIST: CI$93,192 – $122,268
PLANT PROPAGATOR: CI$33,120 – $44,508
SENIOR MANAGER – FINANCE: CI$71,640 – $96,336
Assistant Professor – Mathematics: CI $81,252 – $109,296
Senior Lecturer – Biology: CI$62,508 – $84,036
Deputy Chief Fuels Inspector: CI$81,252.00 – $109,296.00
Associate Professor – Accounting: CI$81,252 – $109,296
Deputy Executive Director – Water: CI$81,252.00 – $109,296.00
1.04 Now publish the private sector jobs side by side.
Most of these jobs require degrees, certifications, references and the ability to interview well, along with all of the soft skills.
Equivalent jobs in the private sector also require the same, and do in fact, pay more.
Issue is that the jobs are filled by individuals that have no experience, no skills, are sick most of the time, have questionable qualifications, but are Caymanian and/or are church/mason friends. The result is a failed Civil Service. Just look at Education.
Now add to that what the Port Authority are paying their acting chief accountant, and Port director.
Robbery .
1:04 – Why don’t you stop the bitching and apply? You took the time to copy the website’s posted vacancies. Do you not have the qualifications and so you resort to hating on those that do? Stop wasting time whining, get to work on getting the qualifications and apply!
Rewarded for bad performance. Only in Cayman.
As a CS, I’m happy for the raise if it happens, but honestly we cannot just keep spending money like this. We need to start really analysing our product. Too many legitimate complaints about service. We need to start analysing how our money is being spent and grading the service otherwise the sink hole which is government will jsut keep expanding until we can no longer control it.
I mean all this money to schools and we have children basically illiterate and unable to compete or be productive. This has many reasons, being the attitudes of the parents, the kids and the administrative branch for education which are happy to just pump money into an issue so that they can exit their positions and leave someone else holding the bag.
cost of living is destroying us, but to raise pay every time this happens is only kicking the can down the road. The monetary policy and our reliance on so many external parties is the cause. And how long can we continue to rely on the funds from outsiders to fund us? What are we really offering to get this money and how long can this continue.
Don’t count your chickens yet. Motions are passed all the time without follow thru.
CS is the best group to appease. You will be reminded who threw scraps when re-election approaches.
I believe Govt gave themselves a 5% cost of living increase last year in addition to their salary increase and already they are doing another COLA survey so they can get another one. Unlike the private sector who do not get COLA increases. salary increases regardless of performance, and free medical, yet they claim they are they are hard up!.For decades civil servants were never subject to an annual performance appraisal report and even now they are not worth the paper they are written on
Spot on, I applaud you. We need more minds like this in government, especially controlling the public purse strings.
Try this: increase their salary by 13%, but they’ll only see maybe half of that increase because the other half would go toward a newly mandated health insurance contribution. It’s really time these government employees start paying for that. You can’t keep kicking this expensive can down the road forever.
NO! NO! NO! Never! Politicians will never accept that. Politicians will fight tooth and nail to see that Civil Servants don’t have to contribute to a health plan, all the while hoping that nobody notices that MPs have the same health plan and they only have to be elected for two terms (8-years vs 40+) to be eligible for the same free health care and a pension for life.
3:51 pm Interesting perspective, and keeping in mind what happened to the young politician who planned to take away the free health plan. Civil servants have to work a long time to get a pension and health benefits. Looks like it’s not the same for politicians.
Can someone please point me to where I can I find the benefits for politicians.
the pension for life went away in 2012 by the way. All politicians since that change were put on defined contribution which is basically you get out what you put in, same plan as the civil servants. Just so you are aware!
Trying reading the 2021 Report starting on page 54.
However, it’s nice to see the judges’ pensions so well funded. I expect the politicians will follow suit, and a measly $12M is all it takes to put them in the black.
https://www.pspb.ky/annual-reports
BS, it is in their contract because they don’t get bonuses like the private sector. Just save your bonuses and invest them and you will be alright. Don’t buy a new car every year and stop being so envious.
Bonuses every year? I’ve worked in hospitality for 15 years & I’ve not had a bonus yet. Maybe I need to join the CS & stop working so hard for so little.
You’re so wrong. I worked in private sector for two decades. Pay rises, bonus, cost of living raises are both very meagre and very rare for most of us.
I stayed at the same salary for a decade across employers and positions. Now looking at joining the Civil Service as it seems to be the only place where your salary even tries to keep up with the cost of living.
I get COLA but no pay raise in years. Can’t remember ever getting a bonus.
No where else, Canada, UK, America, Australia, etc do government employees not contribute to their health insurance programs.
We are so affluent here and live in wonderland. We had better never kill the financial services sector or we are totally screwed. Don’t even talk about independence.
Flat out lies. Cite your sources.
10:29 You are very wrong. I’ve actually worked in local government in the states. 100% of my health insurance premiums was paid by my employer.
The health insurance is not very impressive. CIG employees must use the HSA and wait all day for a turn. A classic example of “you get what you pay for”…
But hey, it’s another day off work so well worth the inconvenience.
5:09 – Not really, it usually causes work to fall behind and pile up. BTW, you sound like a complete loser with those ideas of yours.
In order to qualify could they at least be required to show up to work 75% of their contracted hours?
Ps. How’d that work out with the teachers and the resultant exam performance of their students?
And answer phones, respond to voice and email in a timely manner *rather than not at all*
No. No. No. Some of them deserve a raise and should get it. MANY others don’t even answer the phone or emails and don’t even deserve to have a job. Trim the fat.
Public service is public servancy, and I know of many, both Caymanians and expats who think and act this way, but are throttled back to mediocrity by managers.
Raises are fine but is CIG looking at total headcount and productivity.
Or put more bluntly will any Civil Servants openly running a side business and using Gov’t resources for their personal benefit be fired?
Because we all know this is happening and it is theft from the rest of us.
BIG time. Can we ask the Auditor lady to investigate this?
Shouldn’t compensation be link to performance?
While there are some government workers that are deserving of a salary increase, my personal experiences dealing with a number of government departments and authorities would suggest that the vast majority of government workers should not be getting any type of increase.
It should; however, within the civil service you will never see a fair distribution or pay or rewards due to nepotism.
If you get on your knees, kiss ass or joint the gossip/news backing club you get things you don’t even qualify for in the civil service.
If you play, the reward will be great. If you don’t well…..
This is one of the saddest observation I have made over the past 18 yrs as a civil servant. It’s a top down issue.
Especially when many upper and middle managers have side hustles which they spend more time on than their actual CS jobs
It’s LINKED 10.25..linkED.
I would have been more impressed if the headline was the civil service needs to be cut by 13%
Maybe now they will answer the phone? Or, god forbid, an email or two?
But…but…but…then I’d need to do some work!
computer says no…
That’s great for Civil Servants!!! But is CIG going to do something to ensure that there is some form of private sector consumer protection then? Or are employers going to continue to be allowed to hold salaries at a stagnant level while for another year while the COL continues to soar to the heavens?
interesting that the CS always seem to get their raises just before election time…hmmm…
Be honest: when in the 4 year period would you actually be okay with them performing this? There is absolutely no winning with some people; if they did it immediately after they got in, you’d likely be making similar remarks about them needing to pay off for all the votes they bought, or some other cliche variant.
This raise is long overdue, and in reality some argue that a raise of less than 7% a year can be considered a pay cut due to the rate of inflation (https://www.businessinsider.com/raise-keep-up-with-inflation-7-percent-pay-cut-2022-12)
Why be mad that some of the little people are finally going to get paid closer to what they should? They are not the ones holding you down.
What about the old seamen that went to sea for many, many years and sent home their money to build this counyry before it was not anything else supporting this country, and the old pensioners that realy
truly work hard building this country. what are they going to get ?
Young Spanish wives to ensure the payments keep coming in long after they are gone?
After some of them spent it on booze and women in the foreign ports there was often not so much to send home. No one wants to admit it nowadays but it was true. Just ask some of the wives.
8:41am.which 2
idiots shot that down . we all agree the seamen and old pensioners should get a minimum of 1500 p.m
Most of them are dead. I know a woman who is collecting seaman pension (Cayman Islands)for her dead ex-husband (1st husband) plus collecting US pension for her dead second husband.