By Alric Lindsay
At the third sitting of the first meeting of the 2024-2025 session of Parliament today, October 10, 2024, Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly announced that the Government approved a 5% cost of living increase for civil servants. Additionally, the Premier mentioned a proposal to pay civil servants in the lowest pay grade a minimum of $3,000 per month.
Cost of living adjustment
Regarding the 5% cost-of-living adjustment, the Premier said that this will become effective on January 1, 2025.
Explaining the reason for the decision, she said:
The government took this decision, Mister Speaker, to address the widening gap between the civil service salaries and the rate of inflation in the Cayman Islands.
Additionally, the government is cognizant that the civil service salaries require an uplift to ensure that they remain competitive in both the local and and global talent market.
She added:
Hence, this increase duly serves to bolster the civil service overall compensation package.
As you’re aware and honourable members, Mister Speaker, civil servants work tirelessly to deliver government services to the public each day, they ensure the smooth and effective running of their respective entities.
She concluded:
The Government relies on them to fulfil policy objectives and mandates for the betterment of these beloved islands that we are proud to call our home. Therefore, Mister speaker, it is imperative that the government ensures that civil servants are not at a disadvantage in terms of their salaries and that they can live comfortably in the same community they serve.
$3,000 minimum payment to lowest-paid civil servants
Regarding the lowest-paid civil servants in grades P, Q, and R, the Premier said, “in the coming months, the Government, along with the senior leadership in the civil service, will be reviewing additional pay strategies.”
She added:
The aim of this future project, Mister Speaker, is to uplift those pay grades so that the minimum pay that any civil servant can receive will be $3,000 a month.
A further announcement will follow once the review is complete.
