Labour Minister promises to pay public workers

Labour Minister, Elvin Nimrod, has given public workers the assurance that they will receive the necessary payoff in accordance with 2009 to 2012 negotiations, but it will not be done during the period previously agreed to by the former National Democratic Congress administration.

Nimrod, in his first Labour Day message, addressed the subject of salary increases and backpay in response to the workers chanting, “Pay us we money and vex with us.”

Labour Minister, the Hon. Elvin Nimrod

He told the thousands of workers who participated in last week Wednesday’s Labour Day celebrations at La Sagesse, St. David that Government not only intends to pay what is owed to public workers, but
to also maintain a cordial relationship with them.

“This present administration will give you your money and remain friends with you,” he said.

Nimrod, who is also the Minister for Legal Affairs, told the workers that the payments will have to be made over a longer period of time, given the tight economic climate facing the country.

Appealing for the understanding of workers, he said, “I wish you would appreciate the fact that we have one national pie that must be carefully and consciously divided among all the sectors of the country, and so while we are willing to meet you halfway, you must be willing to meet us halfway as well.”


“We want to say to you this afternoon that we honour and acknowledge our obligation to pay you your back pay and increases; but we have to do that within the constraints of our financial ability,” he said.
 “It will happen and it will happen more quickly than you believe,” he added.

He noted that wage negotiators have been appointed, who have been meeting with Union representatives to ensure that Government delivers on its obligation, and also to make sure that workers understand that shared sacrifices are needed for the benefit of all of our people.

Minister Nimrod did not give a time frame for payment, but assured workers that Government’s obligation to them will be met in a timely manner.

“Government recommits to honouring its financial obligations to you the workers of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique by providing in a very timely manner, and within the constraints of the present economic situation, your backpay and salary increase,” the Labour Minister promised.

As customary, the Labour Day celebration was organised by the Grenada Trades’ Union Council under the theme, “Creating a new Environment for the Social and Economic Advancement of Workers”. The workers marched from Bellevue to La Sagesse where messages of solidarity were among the highlights of the day’s event. (LS)