The Trinidad and Tobago government Monday said that it will submit a revised offer of 10 per cent in salaries and wages to public servants saying the measure is in keeping with a promise made during the campaign for the April 28 general election.
Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo delivering the first national budget of the United National Congress (UNC) -led coalition government, said that for far too long, public officers, the backbone of the country’s workforce, have been made to carry the weight of the former Government’s neglect and indifference.
‘This government is taking this bold and historic step to restore justice, dignity and respect to the hard-working men and women of the public service. After nine long years of stagnation, we are committed to finally bringing all parties back to the bargaining table to address this long-overdue injustice.’
Ancoo said that on the completion of the bargaining process with the Public Service Association (PSA), the government will work with Republic, First Citizens Bank and the National Insurance Board to find a comprehensive solution to discharge this national obligation.
‘This government is focused on delivery and not delay, workers’ rights and not neglect, appreciation and not excuses.
‘In furtherance of the conclusion of negotiations for the Civil Service, Statutory Authorities and Tobago House of Assembly for the periods 2014-2016 and 2017-2019, the Honourable Prime Minister has instructed me to advise the Chief Personnel Officer to submit a revised offer of 10 per cent.’
Tancoo said that he is also advising the members of the Teaching Service, the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, and the Port of Spain and San Fernando City Corporations that the government will ratify the collective agreements signed in April 2025 between the Chief Personnel Officer and their respective Associations/Union/Committee.
Tancoo said that the recurrent cost of implementing these agreements is estimated at TT$214 million (One TT dollar=US$0.16 cents) annually, with arrears of TT$730 million as of December 2025.
Tancoo also dislosed additional policy decisions that the government will undertake to improve the lives of all public servants, teachers and Central Government daily-rated workers.
He said upon assuming office, he was shocked to learn that theretirees in these groups are removed from the UNIMED Group Health Plan precisely when medical issues are more likely to arise.
‘Accordingly, I have instructed that an appropriate Request for Proposal be prepared and issued to seek proposals from the market for an option that allows our retirees and their families to retain membership in the public sector health plan.’
He said also a job evaluation exercise for the civil service are estimated to be completed within the next six to eight month and that this major exercise marks a significant milestone in the modernisation of the public service.
‘However, apart from the revised job descriptions with updated duties and responsibilities, it will provide another significant opportunity for nationals of this country. Upon completion of this exercise, approximately 40 per cent of all fixed-term standardised contract positions will be made permanent and pensionable.
‘In comparison, another 20 to 23 per cent of non-standard fixed-term contracts will also be ‘classified into the new grade structure,’ Tancoo said, adding that ‘this exercise will result in the reduction of fixed-term contract employment by as much as 63 per cent and bring these contract officers within the ambit of the public service’.