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Civil servants cry for justice; No increments paid for 2015!

- National Democratic Party (NDP) Government is said to have left the Country/Treasury broke to win 2015 elections, so no money to pay!
Central Administration Complex: Civil servants are upset that they have not been paid their increments for 2015. Photo: VINO/File
From left: Financial Secretary Neil M. Smith and Director of Human Resources Michelle Donovan-Stevens. Photo: VINO/GIS
From left: Financial Secretary Neil M. Smith and Director of Human Resources Michelle Donovan-Stevens. Photo: VINO/GIS
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The cry by the Opposition Virgin Islands Party (VIP), talk show hosts, civil society, ordinary citizens, and the media that the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) raided the Treasury to win the 2015 snap election, leaving the country broke, is being heard again.

Civil Servants from all levels of the service have been flooding our newsroom with calls for the last two months complaining that they have not been paid their increments for 2015, some six months after they were due. These should have been paid around January/February of this year.

What are increments?

Increments are small percentages of money added to salaries based on performance granted to civil servants each year.  The amount is based on one’s salary.

Since the 2011 general elections, the NDP government has struggled to pay civil servants their increments and they have had to endure years of promises. Sometimes only a few civil servants are lucky to receive increments paid in any given year.

In addition, there have been no raise in salaries for civil servants for the past 10 years.

Financial Secretary Neil M. Smith was asked when the increments would be paid and what the holdup was. “I wouldn’t know that,” Mr Smith briefly replied.

Efforts to reach Director of Human Resources Mrs Michelle Donovan-Stevens were unsuccessful up to publication time.

Morale in the service very low

The morale in the civil service remains very low as many civil servants complain of political victimisation and promotion based on support for the NDP and lack of resources to work with, especially in schools and clinics.

There is also a growing mistrust between the top brass of the service and Ministers of Government.

Opposition Member Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) spoke in the House of Assembly to the issues of sexual harassments. The governor has also failed the service and has said he sees no victimisation and has refused to address public officers’ complaints.

Many have taken to the courts to seek justice, especially members of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force.

With the new acting Deputy Governor, Mrs Rosalie Adams, many are hopeful for a fresh start for the many ills of the service.

22 Responses to “Civil servants cry for justice; No increments paid for 2015!”

  • ccc (15/09/2016, 16:21) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    OMG
    • New headline (15/09/2016, 18:47) Like (15) Dislike (4) Reply
      Tax paying citizens cry for justice - too many civil servants still not doing their jobs
    • the rock (15/09/2016, 21:27) Like (8) Dislike (6) Reply
      OMG my u know what, they should be glad they have a job in these tough times don't you think!
    • ha (16/09/2016, 14:58) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
      Are there any civil servants in the BVI doing a god enough job to expect a bonus/increment?
  • wize up (15/09/2016, 16:49) Like (10) Dislike (9) Reply
    we had to take care of BVI Airways; once the airline starts flying we will make back that 10 Mil plus more money to pay our bills(what is the problem)
    • Topas (15/09/2016, 17:46) Like (24) Dislike (5) Reply
      Wa ah yo bawling for, shut up! Ah yo vote them overwhelmingly, so wa ah yo bawling for. Yo get a government yo deserve.
    • @wize up (15/09/2016, 17:47) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      Sarcasm, Sarcasm ah! LOL!
    • @ wize up (15/09/2016, 18:42) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
      And 5 million on the airport project....not a rock moved
  • civil servant2 (15/09/2016, 17:48) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    If they only know how we hurting.
  • Yes (15/09/2016, 17:55) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
    They are NDP servants.
  • ayo tek dat! (15/09/2016, 17:57) Like (19) Dislike (2) Reply
    I am sorry for those who voted VIP and glad for those that voted NDP.
  • Time to Thank God.. (15/09/2016, 18:16) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    A year ago I was fighting along with civil servants for their gratuity. But I have a chance in my belief. The way this country running, the reckless spending, no money in Treasury, no real plans to turn things around... Time to thank God for our job. Retirees can't even get their pension checks...
  • lies lies (15/09/2016, 20:30) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    supposed it the regular 2 weeks pay they was not getting. so stop tell lies people
  • civil servant (15/09/2016, 20:40) Like (20) Dislike (19) Reply
    I'm just thankful for having a job and being paid every month. That's more than many in this world can say.
    • @ civil servant (16/09/2016, 06:12) Like (10) Dislike (7) Reply
      Stop and speak for yourself
    • Proud public servant (16/09/2016, 17:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I agree with you. I too Am grateful to have a job to go to. Stop this stupid increment talk...because in order to get it Government might have to downsize costing some of our brothers and sisters their job.
  • m n m thief (15/09/2016, 21:34) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    All tge money gone on wall and ports
  • OOMG (16/09/2016, 01:15) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    It is five years hospital don't pay any increments. I just wonder how those workers manage.
  • Music (16/09/2016, 01:50) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Are they all in a certain pay scale where they start at the bottom and get annual increments until they reach the top, where they will stick with no more increments until they get promoted to the next grade? Or do they have to undergo an annual appraisal with their superior to discuss their performance, and hopefully receive an increment?
    Presumably they are receiving their salary?
  • Trucker (16/09/2016, 08:44) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Change this to a performance based bonus system like the private sector.
    • @Trucker (16/09/2016, 12:46) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      They have actually and some how I believe they are waiting on those results to pay increments and by the way some of these supervisors set up, some people won't see a DIME!!!!!!!!


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