Dear Editor: Gov’t out of touch with proposed salary hikes for politicians

“[…] A glaring example of this disconnect is the Government’s approach to wage negotiations. While public servants are offered a mere 5% salary increase for 2020–2022—a proposal so meager it was sent to the Industrial Court—the Salaries Review Commission (SRC) has recommended massive raises for top officials.

“[…] These increases, costing taxpayers over $150 million in back pay, come while the minimum wage remains a mere $17.50 per hour…”

The following Letter to the Editor on a proposed salary hike for top public officials was submitted to Wired868 by Dennise Demming, who is a member of the HOPE political party:

The government of Trinidad and Tobago continues to send the message that citizens are only as useful as their votes on election day. This attitude ignores a fundamental truth: the population is the government’s employer and should be at the heart of every decision.

A glaring example of this disconnect is the Government’s approach to wage negotiations. While public servants are offered a mere 5% salary increase for 2020–2022—a proposal so meager it was sent to the Industrial Court—the Salaries Review Commission (SRC) has recommended massive raises for top officials. These include:

• Prime Minister: A 9.81% increase to $87,847 monthly
• President: A 26% hike to $81,170 monthly
• Opposition Leader: A staggering 76% increase to $52,159 monthly
• Cabinet Ministers: 27% increases

These increases, costing taxpayers over $150 million in back pay, come while the minimum wage remains a mere $17.50 per hour.

University educators are also bearing the brunt of this inequity. The West Indies Group of University Teachers (WIGUT) has expressed frustration with Finance Minister Colm Imbert’s refusal to negotiate fairly.

WIGUT president Dr Indira Rampersad accused the Minister of misrepresenting salary proposals and offering a paltry 4% increase, forcing the union to explore dispute resolution mechanisms.

This issue transcends economics; it is a moral failure. Public servants, university educators, and unionized workers are fighting for fair, livable wages, while government elites stand to benefit from disproportionate raises.

Opposition leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar has rightly denounced these proposals and called for fairer compensation for public servants and judicial officers—the true backbone of our nation.

The Government’s message is clear: those in power come first; the rest can wait. This inequity must end.

Justice and fairness demand that every citizen, regardless of rank, receives compensation reflecting their worth and contribution.

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Dennise Demming

Dennise Demming grew up in East Dry River, Port of Spain and has more than 30 years experience as a communication strategist, political commentator and event planner. She has 15 years experience lecturing business communications at UWI and is the co-licensee for TEDxPortofSpain. Dennise is a member of the HOPE political party.