TEN PERCENT INCREASE ALREADY REFLECTED ON THE WAGES OF GOVERNMENT AUXILIARY EMPLOYEES AND STEP WORKERS

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, May 18, 2022 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – The purchasing power of thousands of citizens and residents has now increased as Government Auxiliary Employees (GAEs) and STEP workers in St. Kitts are the first to benefit from the ten percent increase announced by Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris earlier this month.

The ten percent increase in wages, salaries and pensions retroactive to January 01, 2022 was one of several measures announced by Prime Minister Harris on May 02 to assist the people of St. Kitts and Nevis to alleviate the high cost of living being driven by external forces such as supply chain disruption, the war in Ukraine and uncertainties in commodity markets.

The implementation of the ten percent increase in wages to Government Auxiliary Employees (GAEs) officially commenced on Friday, May 13, 2022. The arrears for the period January 01 to April 30, 2022 will be paid on Friday, May 20.

The ten percent increase for salaried employees of the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis will be incorporated into the salary’s payroll on Wednesday, May 25, 2022. All arrears due for the period January 01 to April 30, 2022 will also be paid on the same date.

Similarly, all Government of St. Kitts and Nevis pensioners will receive both the ten percent increase on their monthly pensions as well as all arrears payable for the period January 01 to April 30 on Wednesday, May 25, 2022.

In making the announcement in his national address, Prime Minister Harris said the payment of this increase “has the great potential to propel increased economic activities which will in turn contribute to the economic recovery and stimulate job creation across the Federation.” -30-