PWA presents salary proposal to government

Police officers at a PWA meeting recently

The Police Welfare Association (PWA) has sent its salary proposal to government for the triennium 2018– 2021 but according the Association’s chairman, it is yet to receive a reply.

Chairman of the PWA, Jefferson Drigo said the salary structure which has been proposed for police officers comprises 15% for 2018/19, 15% for 2019/20 and another 15% for 2020/21.

Drigo said the PWA has taken all factors into consideration, including the state of the economy, government’s fiscal performance, rising inflation and the general increase in the cost of living, in arriving at the proposed salary structure.

He said the Association is cognizant of inflation and its relevance to salary negotiations.

“As a result of inflation, the purchasing power of the dollar to its membership [PWA] has diminished considerably since the passage of Hurricane Maria. The cost of all commodities in the household basket increased considerably with no signs off a possible reduction in the general cost of living,” Drigo stated.

He added, “Additionally, coupled with a limited disposable income, creating a buildup of a credit-culture, it is necessary to make due provision for police officers to be able to save a percentage of their salary in order to make provisions for cases of emergencies.”

Drigo pointed to the dangers of police work which he said, includes duties which expose the officer to a high risk of injury, assault and even death.

“Furthermore, the dynamics of policing as an occupation, creates opportunities for officers to experience many psycho-social hazards such as stress, depression, divorce and even communicable diseases,” he said. “Given the reality of the changing environment, it is almost automatic that more demands are required by police officers.”

Drigo made reference to the devastation caused to Dominica by category five Hurricane Maria on the 18th of September 2017 and the extraordinary demands placed on police officers as a result.

“The police force worked hard and extremely long hours without any rest days afforded to them. Furthermore, their families were left alone while they helped restore the proper functioning of the country,” he noted. “It must be underscored that this level of sacrifice and diligent work was done with limited amounts of food, water and other essential resources. Therefore, it is imperative that the police should be rewarded for their courageous efforts.”

The PWA Chairman stated further, that the emerging role of the police in the twenty first century is one characterized by expansion and change and police officers have to adapt.

“To address these inevitable changes of the 21st century, the Police Welfare Association is proposing a modernized workforce that is characterized by an enhanced working environment, an effective performance management system, enhanced training, and career progression to improve the skill set at all levels of the Police Force,” Drigo remarked.

“Therefore,” he continued, “it is the expectation of the Police Welfare Association that the aforementioned modernized workforce will enable officers to operate from a culture where its members’ performance is aligned with the organizational goals and objectives and members are rewarded commensurate with performance.”

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9 Comments

  1. May 16, 2019

    If in fact there is a 1.6 billion reserve, then the PM might wait until it is closer to election then give out the goodies for maximum effect,lol. It is amazing how politicians like to boast about how great the economy is doing under their watch, but come up with all kinds of excuses when it comes to paying liveable wages. I think what is asked for by PWA is reasonable. A government cannot expect 21st centuey policing, while paying 19 century wages.

  2. Consultant
    May 16, 2019

    These demands are preposterous and makes no sense. This makes the PWA negotiating machinery looks like comedians. Come on PWA come up with real thought out Proposals with analytical economic data to support your proposal. We are in 2019.

  3. Tetecarlbass
    May 15, 2019

    According to Tony, the Skeritt Administration has $1.6 billion in reserve, therefore, increases in salaries, should be not problem.

  4. common man
    May 15, 2019

    offcourse there re about two platoons of officers who should write to pm Skerrit to say the PWA is not speaking on their behalf, 0,0,0 is good enough. Especially those who directed that the goat be sent to the morgue

  5. Chkera
    May 15, 2019

    Skerrit, I need a double bubble for Christmas 2019.

  6. Kermit
    May 15, 2019

    Extra ordinary demands after Maria like what???? Making dominicans loot every business place it had in Roseau??? Watching dominicans do it?? They should have been shooting dominicans in their legs and hands sakway voleh.

  7. ??
    May 15, 2019

    Good Luck with that 15%. I guess you start ridiculously high and hope you get the 5% that you are looking for.

  8. Ibo France
    May 15, 2019

    The proposals are all reasonable and needed. He forgot to mention meritorious promotion and the depoliticization of the police force. The Dominica Police Force most times acts like an extension of the EXECUTIVE ARM OF GOVERNMENT. This must stop! They must execute their duties without fear or favor. The top echelon of the Police Force behaves like servants of Skerrit. In order for the Force to gain the respect of the people, they have to be more professional and independent. Pelting women and children directly with teargas canisters and arresting members of the opposition on trumped up charges cannot inspire public confidence in them.

  9. time has told
    May 15, 2019

    Join the nurses. The Opposition needs to meet with the public service officers to find out the shortcoming of their employment situations.

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