Double salary for civil servants promised despite concerns; no IMF report

Civil servants in St. Kitts and Nevis will receive “double salary” for a fourth consecutive year, despite concerns raised in relation to economic transparency by the opposition St. Kitts Nevis Labour Party and other critics.

The promise of the double salary was made by Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris, as he was addressing an audience at a town hall meeting in Miami, USA, last night Monday.

Whereas many welcome the payment, there are some who question the economic standing of the twin island state.

According to Prime Minister Harris, the decision to pay double salary is based on the economic prosperity of the federation under his leadership.

Others see the issuing of the double salary as a political strategy directly related to the constitutionally due federal elections early next year.

Harris’ government has pledged to pay double salary despite the cloud of the administration not consenting to the publication of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Article IV consultation with St Kitts and Nevis.

Prime Minister was supported at the town hall meeting by the Minister of Public Infrastructure, Post, Urban Development, and Transport Ian Patches Liburd and Attorney General Vincent Byron.