Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has said his administration will not be laying off workers for the fiscal year 2012/2013.
Skerrit made the disclosure in response to a question from Member of Parliament for Roseau Central, Norris Prevost, in parliament on Wednesday.
According to Prevost, a recent IMF report indicates that with fiscal policy reaching its limit “to support economic activity the authorities have budgeted a strong retrenchment for fiscal year 2012-2013.”
“Will the honorable prime minister and minister for finance inform this honorable house how many workers his government plans to retrench in fiscal year 2012-2013 and in what areas,” Prevost queried.
But Skerrit said his government has no intention retrenching workers, pointing out that Prevost’s question reflects a misinterpretation of the IMF quote. “Madam speaker, the term retrenchment as deemed by the IMF is defined to be a reduction in expenditure or economizing,” he remarked. “That definition is not specific to workers. There is no mention of retrenchment of workers in the IMF report.”
He said the report actually pointed to reducing expenditure. “To give the impression the IMF report is suggesting retrenchment in workers is unfortunate,” he noted.
Skerrit said as minister of finance, he has publicly called for reduction in discretionary spending by more judicious use of government resources.
He will do it through the statutory boards then?
DSC has increased enrolment but some lecturers will be sent home in January!
Well Mr. Prevost knows that if it was in their time when the UWP reigned, they would surely retrench workerd, now he is expecting the present govt. to do the same,now they would take it to their political platform for milage
I am seeing that the Government can only offer public servants a 1% salary increase. I see that to mean things are not good, I see the government has admitted that the economy is bad. I see the Great Charles Saverin who once said,”if a government can’t pay its workers, the government should resign”. Sound advice. We just have to wait and see exactly what “retrenchment” means, because if according to the PM it means reducing spending, the question is, isn’t a reduction in the payment of salary and wages to public servants a means of reducing spending? I see the Min. of Finance now needs to be specific with respect to the spending cuts which he intends to implement. I see that we are in December, just a few months ago we passed our national budget, and just a few days ago we were in Parliament seeking the approval of supplementary estimates. I see we are talking about “retrenchment” means cutting spending while supplementary estimates is all about spending in excess of budgeted projections. Just wait, we will see exactly what “retrenchment” means. I see in time, the term “retrenchment” will be defined in Dominica by time and experience. I see in the fullness of time we will experience in Dominica the true meaning of “retrenchment”, we will not be confused. By the Grace of God,coming events always cast a shadow before them. Please SEE.
This adminitration should create much more development than previous administion because revenue is greater now such as vat and now Dominica is hosting international cricket previous administration didn’t have these revenues.
According to the online Merriam-Webster dictionary retrenchment is a “reduction, curtailment; specifically : a cutting of expenses “.
Was not sure myself.
I believe in consistency. Why is the opposition not talking about the administration’s efforts to cut discretionary spending. Take for example Charles Saverin who works half day. Isn’t that a great effort since he is saving electricity, not withstanding the fact that he cannot use the computer.
Then the lights are off in the PM office for about 20 days of the month which means that the security can sit in headquarters and drink rum., no SUV running from Viellecase to Ministry.
The member for Colihaut , MIA. He is Not wasting time.
Parry hard work brought up efficiency within the civil service. Once he dd that his contract was allowed to expire.
Instead of having Francine Baron in Dominica we sent her to Britain so she could use the English man electricity
Which administration can go negotiate with Cruise Line executive having nothing to show, no money spent on building the tourism appeal.
If this is not a government for the people then I Observer will see to it that Peeping Tom , Gary, even Tony and Ambassador and Madame will stop making fools of themselves.
retrenchment means cutting back on expenditure . How is Mr Prevost’s question a misrepresentation of the IMF report. . The question is as legitimate as asking whether there will be a cut back in te cabinet or a cut back on the PM’s security details, traveling etc.
Instead of trying to demonized Prevost SKERRIT must come clean and swallow his foolish pride engage the opposition in nation building. It is quite obvious that the current administration s lost . The IMF report keeps coming back with darkness and all the PM keeps offering is a cut back in discretionary spending yet we see no cut backs in the cabinet and advisors. The red clinic is still playing ext to te Arrawak House of Culture.
Interestingly while they talking about cutting back they are implementing legislation to rehire retirees . At hire salaries too. Hey why not blame the world economy for the state of our government .
What is retrenchment, or the meaning of retrenchment? Nobody in the House, if it is honourable, seems to know. Can somebody explain it. The English language can have different meaning at different times.
French: retrenchier; to cut down; cut out; also to pare out. To make retrenchments specific; econimize, a cutting of expenses. Having stated that definition fr. Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary, Roosevelt Skerrit is correct. The word doesn’t specifically means redundancy; or dismissal for a job. But in D/ca, everything goes with these guys. Skerrit definitely needs to cut down on his “BIG GOVERNMENT”, reduce the VAT and facilitate the ways and means to create jobs for Dominicans. Our people must have priority over any other nationals on the island. Obiviously, there’s a big VOID in leadership re. governance of the country. Good luck my people!
I agree with the PM. If staff just exercise a little more due care with office equipment like turning it off at the end of the day…lights, photocopiers, and computers, use the telephones less, turn off lights in offices and do it yourself don’t wait for the cleaner of the secretaries to remember everything, that’ll go a long way on the excessive bills. ALSO ONE MAJOR ISSUE the USE of government vehicles after hours and the rate of speed some of them go by these a gas gozzlers and that use needs to be curbed. Only government vehicles that should be out and about after hours are Fire&Ambulance and the police patrol vehicles. Let’s see how this one panns out in 2013
You are a genius!!!!. Why the heck the government didn’t think of that. That is all they need to do to get the economy sprinting¥¥¥¥¥¥¥
words*
Retrenchment in expenditure? I guess our English and use of used is skewed by this government
That statement from Skerrit is truely good news,however,I dont believe him.We have been fooled before. It is my opinion that Skerrit doesn’t want to rock the boat because it is negotiation time between the PSU and Government. I am prepared to bet my last dollar that should the PSU revert to serious civil disturbance and Skerrit he is backed in a couner,his only way out will be to retrench the PSU workers,remember I said it first.
DNO Admin, please ensure that your writers observe the rules of English language grammar. Pay attention to letters of words that should be capitalized. For example, words like Prime Minister, Honourable House and the Honourable Member. Thanks.
are you. You remind me of great grand ma who in her old age was fussy about every little thing.
OK DNO get your red pen and start grading blogs and at the end of the day post the scores.
get a life.
@ N a h f,
Wat de heck rong wit ur tinking? Go bac 2 skool!
i hope u have a job
is it the same for LIME Mr PM ?
Its like LIME, DOMLEC, DOWASCO. These should all be in all caps… Domlec and Dowasco are not words
This is good news. We should accept the PM’s explanation.
However, in light of the state of the Dominican economy and the absence of a brighter short term, medium or long-term economic prospect under the Labour Administration, it is hoped that PM Skerrit does not have a President Bush (the father) read my lips, no new taxes moment.
We shall wait and see.
Respectfully
Roseau Valley
fake WHEN will you get it
you are not the real ROSEAU VALLEY
our real ROSEAU VALLEY will never TRUST SKERRIT words you are an imposter in the name of democracy
That is another big fat lie. I know of someone who has already gotten notice that there is no money to pay so there will be no work in the new year. These are professionals who went to study, come back home with huge commitments and have to put up with these ridiculous situations in a country.
You continue to mislead Dominicans, but enjoy your 99 days.
haha they will have to re-trench
who knows he could trim his cabinet down to atleast 7 Ministries,,
guess if he is still PM next year only time will tell..dominicans just not clever to see that the country is dead under this labour regime
Damm Prevost, PM put you in your place”Skerrit said as minister of finance, he has publicly called for reduction in discretionary spending by more judicious use of government resources.