The Dominica Public Service Union has written to the Chief Personnel Officer outlining three (3) issues which need to be addressed and resolved before it takes a final decision on salary negotiations for the period 2015/2018.
The one-off payment equivalent to two months salary which is being offered to public officers in the second year is not a salary increase but instead should be viewed as an allowance and more specifically an inducement allowance which would only need a Cabinet Order to make it tax exempt. Such an allowance can also be given a life time or limit. Section 25 (1) (z) of the Income Tax Act Chap 67:01 has been applied before. Section 25 (2) of the same act vests the power in Cabinet by Order to either add or delete, or vary from the exemptions listed in Section 25(1).
The Union holds the strong view that public officers can benefit under this section of the Act whereby the one off payment can be tax exempt.
The DPSU is also requesting that the Government makes a monthly contribution of $30.00 per member towards the premium of officers in the Union’s medical insurance scheme, as was previously agreed to.
The Union advances that a number of items which were listed as not having been approved had not yet been discussed at the negotiating table, and that there were those which were left for discussion beyond the conclusion of this current negotiation since they would require input from Permanent Secretaries and other senior officers.
One of the conditions that the Union had previously taken and to which it is adhering is that before it brings negotiations to a close, the long outstanding issue of payment of redundancy and gratuity where applicable to public works employees who have been laid off for two (2) years should be settled.
I think this is all well and good but if they raise salary and then these supermarkets raise the prices of all their groceries, we are back at square one. So I hope they negotiate with the supermarket owners as well.
Latang , first of all you are not even looking convincing .
Where were you all these years when we wee fighting the Power for improved conditions and salaries?
Bonuses are usually the income that gets taxed the highest, even in the US.
Letang stop playing politics with the Public Servants of Dominica. You are a trade union leader NOT a UWP Politician…..STOP IT!!!!!
Ythe guy was asking for fifteen percent salary increace.he said after the government offered something they can work witha one time payment of salary for two months
Knowing your political ideology and aspirations, you are unwilling to negotiate in good faith. We would like you stop blowing hot air and put the needs of the Civil Servants first.
With the amount of money being thrown in the air all over the country, keeping in mind the response given by the PM in the last sitting of parliament in terms of the millions in a local bank, because of the high cost of living presently, the PSU should be requesting one-off payment equivalent to six (6) months salary as an inducement allowance. The money is there, being used for all sorts of unsustainable ventures. Pay up!!
With the amount of money being thrown in the air all over the country, keeping in mind the response given by the PM in the last sitting of parliament in terms of the millions in a local bank, because of the high cost of living presently, the PSU should be requesting one-off payment equivalent to six (6) months salary as an inducement allowance. The money is there, being used for all sorts of unsustainable ventures. Pay up.
no support from civil servants… what idiots
Mr,. Letang why don’t you just get a lawyer to represent the public servants..the police has one.. it appears the fine prints during negotiating is defeating you and your negotiating partners.. all I see is negotiating for your benefits
Ben 10 I agree with you wholeheartedly. The Union more looking for what it can get. How many civil servants access the non salary issues? The insurance is good but it should also cover cancer care because at present it doesnt.