CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC – The St. Lucia government says while it is anxious to bring closure to the wage and salary negotiations involving public servants it is not going to endorse salaries that would further affect the economic situation in the country and force the island into the clutches of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
In a nationwide radio and television broadcast on Sunday night, Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony, who is also the Finance Minister, said the crux of the issue that faces the government is the ability to meet the demands of its 9,500 workers for increases in their wages by 15 per cent, spread over three years.
Public sector trade unions have rejected an offer of zero per cent increase and a onetime payment of EC$1,000 (One EC dollar= US$0.37 cents) and have called on the intervention of the Prime Minister to reach an amicable solution.