Senior Reporter
kay-marie.fletcher
@guardian.co.tt
Groups representing members of the protective services were hopeful that backpay would be paid in time for Christmas this year.
Their reactions followed a news conference by Finance Minister Colm Imbert yesterday where he said he was confident the payment would be made to public servants as promised.
Speaking with Guardian Media via phone yesterday, president of the Prison Officers’ Association Gerard Gordon said that the Government is not doing officers a favour by paying backpay.
“We remain hopeful but certainly concerned about the information/misinformation being circulated in the media. I would take this opportunity to state that backpay or any such similar payment is not a favour being done to us. In fact, prison officers generally were a bit perturbed by the announcement during the budget debate. The Prison Officer’s Association continues to vigorously advocate for the collective benefit of our members,” he said.
Chief Fire Officer Arnold Bristow said the fire service was the last to sign off on the four per cent increase so other agencies may receive their backpay before them.
However, Bristow said the service was doing all the necessary work to meet the requirements. He said once the money is there, he believes the Government will pay officers what they are due.
Head of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) Social and Welfare Association ASP Gideon Dickson told Guardian Media it’s up to the TTPS’ finance branch to do its part but noted that he has confidence it will be achieved.
Imbert assured assistance would be provided to the various ministries to calculate the amount of money to be paid to each public servant.
