Bee contradicts Miskin: civil servants to receive full 15 per cent pay rise at the end of September

According to Bee, it was ultimately agreed with the trade unions that the full increase would be granted at the end of September. A phased payment is no longer an issue, he said.

Miskin had indicated to the media that civil servants would receive a 10 percent wage increase at the end of September. According to his information, the remaining 5 percent would be paid out a month later. Bee, however, states that this explanation does not correspond with the final agreements between the government and the trade unions.

“There is no discussion about that,” the minister told Communicatie Dienst Suriname (Suriname Communication Service) on Tuesday. According to him, the proposal has since been approved by the Raad van Ministers (Council of Ministers) and the necessary documents have been signed.

“I personally signed the missive today. The Minister of Finance has signed everything. We are ready to proceed with implementation. The story that we will first pay out 10 percent and then 5 percent is not correct,” Bee said.

A split was considered

The minister acknowledged that during the negotiations, a proposal had been put forward to pay the wage increase in two parts. Ultimately, however, it was decided to grant the full 15 percent at the end of September, according to him.

Bee thus contradicts the payment method presented by Miskin. The differing statements show that there apparently is uncertainty about how the increase will be processed. Bee maintains that the full percentage will be granted in a single payment.

Negotiations will continue

According to Bee, the 15 percent wage increase does not mean that negotiations between the government and the trade unions have been concluded. A technical committee must be formed with representatives from both sides.

According to the minister, the government’s representatives are already known. The government is still awaiting nominations from the trade unions. The committee will have three months to develop additional proposals, after which negotiations will continue.

Purchasing power support remains in place

Bee further stressed that the existing purchasing power support of SRD 1,500 remains in force. This allowance will therefore not lapse as a result of the wage increase.

According to the minister, the government is aware of its responsibility to improve the purchasing power of civil servants, workers and equivalent groups. He called on those involved to have confidence in the agreements presented by the government.