Statement by Mrs. Michelle Donovan-Stevens

Director of Human Resources on the Payment of 2018 Increments for the 2017 Work Year

9^th December, 2021

Public Officers, the Department of Human Resources has embarked on two phases for the completion of the payment of 2018 increments for the 2017 work year. By October, departments and ministries had received employee reports to validate eligibility and salary changes. However, to date, only 80% of these reports have been returned to the Department of Human Resources, which impacts the overall payments of increments. The reports received have authorised the commencement of increment payment to officers

Effective 30^th November 2021, increment payments began to be distributed to officers who have not had any salary changes between January 2018 to present and these payments have continued for the 15^th December 2021 pay cycle. This number represents 1200 increment transactions, which reflects 90% of eligible Public Officers and 10% of eligible retirees. So far, an estimated value of 2.9 million dollars has been paid towards increments.  This payment is reflective of transactions for eligible persons who worked a minimum of nine months in 2017.  Be assured that increment payments will continue for the 31^st December pay period and beyond.

Phase two of the process will see the continuation of retirees’ benefits and pensions being appraised and re-calculated, where necessary. Over 100 retirees' benefits were reviewed and prepared; where applicable pensions were re-calculated by the Department of Human Resources and are being audited as a requirement before the payment of revised pension benefits to retirees.

Considering the details involved with the administrative review of officers who have had salary changes, those outstanding payments to eligible officers will be paid early in the New Year, pending the receipt of the outstand employee reports from ministries and departments. The target date for the completion of this exercise is 28^th February, 2022.

The Department of Human Resources extends holiday greetings and thank all officers who have remained dedicated and committed to the Service. We extend appreciation for your patience as we continue to steadily work on concluding the payment of the 2018 increments.