CASTRIES, St. Lucia – Prime Minister Phillip J Pierre said that the government will pay out the more than EC$30 million (One EC dollar=US$0.37 cents) in backpay to public servants before the island celebrates its 46th anniversary of political independence from Britain on February 22.
Prime MInister Phillip J Pierre announcing payment to public servants.“We have completed negotiations with the TUF (Trade Union Federation) and we will make the announcement very soon as to when civil servants should expect their backpay and salary increase.
“I can assure you that they are going to get it before independence. Civil servants will be having their backpay and salary increase before independence,” Pierre added.
A government statement said that following the successful conclusion of negotiations between the Government Negotiating Team (GNT) and the TUF, the Cabinet has agreed to pay out an additional EC$32 million in back pay to more than 11,000 public servants in February.
It said that the government will commence the back pay disbursement on February 20, this year with Prime Minister Pierre confirming that the back pay would be tax-free.
The TUF is the bargaining agents for six organisations including the St. Lucia Civil Service Association, the St. Lucia Fire Service Association, the St. Lucia Medical and Dental Association, the St. Lucia Nurses Association, the St. Lucia Teachers Union, and the Vieux-Fort Dock and General Workers Union.
Negotiations between the GNT and TUF came to a conclusion in December 2024 and the statement said that negotiations also included discussions on salaries over two consecutive trienniums.
It said that Cabinet approved the terms of the agreement in January 2025.
The first triennium commenced in 2022 and will conclude in 2025, during which salaries and wages for public servants will increase by six per cent. In the second triennium, from 2025 to 2028, salaries will see a further increase of seven per cent.
“The government of St. Lucia extends its thanks to the GNT… and the leadership of the TUF for reaching an amicable conclusion following the negotiations,” the statement added.
