The Half Increment Story
- Sunday, January 15th, 2012 at 3:48 PM
After the people of the territory went ahead and did ‘the thing’ in the November 7, 2011 General Elections, is this how the National Democratic Party repays civil servants? By cutting their increments in half? Wow! Why are civil servants paying the price for the financial situation of the entire territory? Disgruntled employees will only make for a poor public service my dear members of Cabinet.
While I am adamantly opposed to this cut in our increment, I must say that I believe that we have played a significant role in our own demise by mismanaging the resources of the service. Some of us do not come to work on time, and then when we do arrive at work, we have to leave the office to get something to eat for breakfast. After this breakfast, we have to check our email, surf the web for a while, call or text a few friends, and then begin working; by this time, it is around 9:30-10:00.
We take our time doing the tasks that we have for the day, leave for lunch on time but for some reason, return from lunch late. Lunch is over now and we do not feel that motivated to work because we just ate. So we are sluggish for the afternoon and spend some more time on the phone, internet, and with co workers.
At four o’clock, we use that as time to start winding down the day; by 4:25, everything is packed away where they are supposed to be, the computer is off, and if we can stand by the door until 4:30, we do that. There is abuse with government supplies; like paper and ink, printing personal things etc. Vehicles are often used making personal runs; dropping people to the laundry, going home for things you forgot that have nothing to do with work and etc. I am guilty of such transgressions. Therefore I am appealing to civil servants who know that they fall in any of these categories to make a conscious effort to refrain from these things. This way, we can save money and stretch our resources.
The leaders of the territory though, need to set an example for the rest of the territory in the way they spend OUR money. From what I have observed with His Excellency the Governor Mr. Boyd Mc Cleary, he appears to be making conscious efforts to curb spending. Our politicians need to take note. Some of the vehicles they purchase with OUR money to drive around in are unnecessary; the contracts they give to people to do things the territory and its inhabitants neither need, nor want are controversial; the ton load of unnecessary festivals, parades, etc that they sponsor, that happens in numerous villages throughout the year are disturbing. The place is small; let us have one, big, central celebration and be satisfied with that! Thousands and thousands of dollars being spent on ‘consultancies’; give me a break. It needs to stop!
So you are saying that the entire territory is in a financial crisis, but the civil servants must bear the brunt of the attack by having their increments cut in half. The former government mentioned suspending the increment but they didn’t do it. You are saying that the politicians have taken a pay cut too. But guess what; politicians can afford to take a pay cut. With all the allowances they get monthly, like telephone, travel, entertainment and etc, a pay cut wouldn’t hurt any of them. Some of them, from the former government in particular, DID NOT even earn their salary, in my opinion. Besides that, almost every politician that is out there has an extra source of income besides their base salary and their allowances that they are getting from us. I do not have a food and beverage company; no shares in a cellular phone company. I do not practice medicine; nor do I invest with a quarry; I do not have apartments, villas, restaurants, or stores. I am not a member of a wealthy family.
What about the family with all those bills; student loans, $800 a month rent for an apartment, car payments, gasoline, propane, food, clothes; what about those who have a child or children to take care of? Were all of these things taken into consideration prior to making the decision to cut the increment in half?
“At least we still have a job!” People continue to make mention of what is happening in the United States and in the United States Virgin Islands. Yes, a number of people have been laid off in the United States. Yes, government workers have taken an eight percent pay cut across the board, but what I am failing to hear those same people say is that in the United States, they have unemployment benefits and breaks. We do not have those in this territory. The same people that are talking about what is happening in the United States and its territories are failing to mention that in those places, they have Consumer Affairs that seek to regulate food prices and other things.
Do we have that here? When the expiry date for food comes in this territory, do you know what the stores do? They reduce the price of the food item. In United States territories, they HAVE to remove those items from the shelf. Who regulates prices in this territory? Who sees to it that the already established monopolies refrain from inflation? Do you know how much money a person charges for the average one bedroom apartment in the British Virgin Islands; for the average two bedroom apartment? Who is there to see to it that there is affordable housing? Government does not provide housing in this territory like they do in the United States and its territories. So when we mention what is happening over there, let us mention both sides of the coin.
What about the minimum wage in this territory in comparison to the minimum wage in the places that we are comparing ourselves to? Have we checked their gas prices and compared them to ours? I saw on the news last week that gas per gallon at the pump had risen to $3. 63 in the United States. A number of people in this territory, I’m sure, would rejoice if they could go to any gas pump in this territory right now and pay $3.63. The cost of gas per gallon at the gas station that I go to is $4.65; that is $1.02 more than what was reported on the news and if you live on the outer islands of Jost Van Dyke, Anegada, and Virgin Gorda, you may be paying a minimum of $5.00 per gallon.
Let’s talk about public transportation in the U.S.V.I . You can get from the eastern end of the island to the western end of the island for $2.00 on a safari, or, you can use the government run transit system to get to your destination for around the same cost. We DO NOT have a government run transit system in this territory and I personally do not know of any safari bus that will take me or anyone, from East End to West End for $2.00. Do you?
Some have mentioned shopping locally and ‘keeping the money in the territory’. The reality is, in a number of scenarios, you get more value for your dollar shopping outside of this territory. If that was not the case, so many people would not have been doing it. The truth is, depending on what you are going away to purchase, you can pay your boat fare/plane fare, rent a vehicle, shop, come back to this territory, pay duty on the items and it be less expensive than shopping locally.
Besides the amount of money you spend, you get better variety, higher quality and if it’s medical, more privacy. While speaking about that, the government needs to stop charging duty on items purchased by individuals who are importing things for their personal use, especially when the items they are importing cannot be purchased locally and save the duty charges for those who are importing goods for sale.
I have more that I would like to write on this topic but I decided to only submit half of my thoughts to go along with the increment the government has proposed.
Justin Time
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32 Comments
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I am appalled at some of the comments from my fellow BVIslanders. Do you people read what is happening in other parts of the world? We have many blessings to count. This government is trying to keep the BVI afloat after inheriting an empty treaury to work with. If we civil servants have to forego getting any increment at all we are blessed that it is not a pink slip we are getting. We need to support our government in their endeavour to bring this country back to prosperity. All those illegal contracts that were signed by that lame duck government have to be cancelled. All inflated contracts need to overhaul and ammended. We need to behave as sensible, intellectual people, and stop the small minded silly talk.
This is a good article, but I’m a bit confused, are you for or against this action. I guess, like you said its two sides of the coin. Nevertheless, great article. Everything is so true, thats why, many apartments are empty, many ppl go to cost u less to shop, you have excellent points, and peopl should look into this. For example, we have expatriate teachers who come in on contract, they dont care about our children and its sad! They get all this allowance, and yes, they may do their job to a certain extent, but they say it all the time, “this place is a waste” Govt should look into this as it is an issue that really bothers me. Lets be thankful with the decision, and praise God its not a decrease. People of the BVI, lets focus on other things man, thes unsolved murders for years, ridiculous price for land, and the list goes on….let’s foucs!
The people of the Government of the BVI need to be thankful yes but what happen to the people that are not employed by Government? They don’t seem to be complaining, so I assume everything is “a o k” for them.
Which is indicative of a problem, as “Justin Time” noted.
There are two sides to the coin.
Does any one read the judicial laws of the BVI? Noel Lloyd stood up many years ago, you can also stand up and demand better services in a proper and orderly manner of course, its that simple.
People in “TALK TOLA” spend far too much time talking about the wrong things. The rent climbing, who is researching? The food price climbing, who is regulating?
Consumer PROTECTION IS NECESSARY NOOWWW!
These are real issues facing the territory and no one wants to bring them out. Who wrote the Governor? The UK wants to see the budget but have anyone/group request the UK to look at the sufferings of the people?
Be thankful you have a job, but come up with creative ideas to pull the country together so you all can survive.
After reading all of these post; I came to one conclusion. All these people just plain and simple have a problen with Virgin Islanders working in the positions that they are in, for whatever reason, and most times is because they think that Virgin Islanders are not qualify. That is called jeleousy.
u vote change u got change ,,,suck it up and keep moving….take ur half increment…we don’t hardly see it any way they tax it as u get it….so there we go
The change we voted and got is actually trying to save our country. Too bad we can’t say the same for you
I actually enjoyed reading your commentary. I understand that you don’t want to have your increment reduced but in your second paragraph, the work ethic you described would have earned many of your fellow civil servants their pink slip in the private sector, which would be justified. As a people we have allowed some our own (Virgin Islanders) to become complacent and dare I say lazy and have rewarded this behavior for years. You must be fair lay the blame for this revenue loss where it belongs on the poor work ethic of your fellow civil servants. In some cases the CS has three or four persons doing what would be the work of 1 in the private sector. Almost every dept or ministry has 2 receptionists. There are larger private sector firms that manage with one. This is the reason that the country spends almost half of its annual budget on salaries. If the workers in the CS would do their jobs or even produce half of what they are paid to, you would be entitled to your increment and then some
I see why i’m never eagar to read articles from this site. BLATANTLY BIASED, WOW. State a point and have others make up their mind, it should be so obvious what side you’re on
for real….justintime…its your kind of mentality which have us in the stste we are in.you are not willing to sacrifice anything for the greater good! in layman terms you are a selfish individual only concerned about yourself and your wellbeing…what about the others, the kids graduating coming after you, not to mention your kids if you have any?? government did the most prudent things and decided to cut Public services incriments…not pay or take away increments all together, 50% look around see what is hppening, the USA, UK, Europe and all the other countries are putting in place harsh measures, the BVI isn’t. do you know how diccicult it is to get a job now? i live in the Uk and businesses and local shops are closing everyday. everyone is thankful for a job and putting up with the pay cuts, working less hours and and trying to produce more. Honestly I just believe you wrote this article to stirr up trouble, thats all…I’m no fan of the NDP but I support their logic 200% I guess its because you are hoodwinked and that crab in the barrel mentality is what has to tied down to your bitter job. At least its a way of weeding out out the undesirables like youself in government who give the public service a bad name!
I couldnt let this go without commenting. You have your opinion so here is mine. Are civil servants disgrntled because they are only getting a portion of their increment? Really? Have you guys spoken to folks in the nearby USVI who not only got an 8% salary cut, who not only havent gotten a raise in years, but have been recently fired as recent as Friday Xjanuary 13. So please tell me that you realise how blessed blessed you are and will thank God right about now. Plus its not forever. Give me a break. If a civil servant is so disgruntled then resign why dont ya and let
someone who will be greatful to have a job take yours.
Meet the new boss(government) same as the old boss. When man looks to man to fix their problems, they shall get only the answers that is known to man. Man believes he is a god! Well when you voted, you did not vote for a man, you voted for a system. Americans will soon be brainwashed into thinking they are voting for a man and they too will be voting for a system. It is the beginning of the Beast system and the initiation of the cashless society. If the system is corrupt, then the ones running it is worse! Europe just downgraded many of its top countries and the whole world markets will soon begin to quake. 2012 began with a bang but it will end with worldwide explosion! You will all see your dollars in your pocket will become worthless and your retirements also. All governments are implementing cuts(austerity measures) against the people. Politricksters salary never goes down only the people who vote for them salaries do. The war with Iran will make oil prices go to $250.00 a barrel and you all will pay at least $10.00 a gallon. I know there shall be some haters on here after reading this, but hate if you wish, but it will be better for you all to prepare as best you can. Look out below, the sky has already started to fall since 2008. “The rich ruleth over the poor and the borrower is servant to the lender”. That’s why those Arabs down there buying up all your gold. They already know what is coming down the pipe. Your dollars says what it is on it. It is a note to pay debt, in other words, debt created out of nowhere to pay off debt. Check history, GOD alway considered honest money(gold and silver) as true money. People you have been deceived! You work for nothing! A piece of paper with a dead man face on it. “If it is written on a piece of paper it is worth the paper that it is written on. And people actually kill each other for it. Mankind will never learn! Can’t say me never warn you!
Shalom!
The Truth! The Truth, and too much truth, but what it say in the Bible; Who have ears to hear let them hear,and a hard head makes a soft behind. On the same page My Brother, and that is why Kadafi was killed. It is all about the system and there are only the two.
Capitalism and communism! One of the hallmark of capitalism is the destablization of other people country to capture and control their resourses, because capitalism can not sustain itself in peace time, but then again we are in the jungle, and everytime the lion eat something is going to die, and it is not fairy tale world.
Nuf Love. Keep it real.
Correction whoever wrote this, in the private sector, we have lost jobs and some of us have not had a raise in 3 to 4 years so stop bawling about why are the civil servants being “punished” for a bad economy. Every other employer is doing what they have to do. You guys lucky none of you were sent home and here bitching about a 50% reduction in your increment. For gods sake there are a number of us who cant get a raise in the private sector. Deal with it and pull up your socks, we are all suffering.
I am in the private sector and i took a pay cut 3 years ago due to the world economy – i still have a job for which i am greatful.
ONCE AGAIN PEOPLE THIS IS NOT A PAY CUT , THIS IS A VERY VERY GOOD MOVE BY THE GOVERMENT OF THE DAY , THE 50% CUT IS THE INCREMENT (AKA) RISE OF PAY , FOR THOSE WHO IS CONFUSE ALL GOVERMENT WORKERS GET A RISE IN THERE SALARY EVERY YEAR , ALL THEY IS SAYING IS THAT INSTEAD OF GET IT ALL THEY WILL GIVE U HALF THEY NOT TROUBLING YOUR SALARY IT JUS SIMPLE MEAN THAT IF YOU WAS GETTING $500 RISE U WILL NOW GET 250 SO AT THE END OF THE DAY YOU RECEIVE YOUR FULL SALARY PLUS THE 250 , CAN’T GET NO PLAINER THAN THAT ,. WHO DIDN’T GET IT HEAD REALLY REALLY HARD AND NEED TO GO AND SEE THE DOC .
Justin Time has the right in this democratic society to e press his or her views provided there is libel or slander. It is funny when a rock is fling in the Bush the dog that gets hit holler. Truth is truth and facts are facts; and it should not matter if they come from local or expatiate. Just for the record I’m 4th generation local.
True, there are many dedicated hard working civil sere ants. But too many are permitted to abuse the system. Too many do not live to their contract with tax payers. These are the folks that need to change their behavior. One bad apple spoil the barrel. Let’s not shoot the messenger; examine the message.
This person is obviously confused. Increment cut in half will lead to people not working at Government? Are we being punked with this article? Really? These people didn’t lose their jobs, they didn’t get a cut in salary, just a simple 50% cut in increment, meaning the 3% raise that most of them got for doing NOTHING all year, will be cut to 1.5% raise! THEY STILL GET A RAISE REGARDLESS and they’re complaining?
This person must be joking, really! I will continue to say, if Government wanted to show they were serious about cutting cost and doing things properly, they won’t cut their salaries, they would fire about 1000 PROVEN slackers at Government, then we would see real savings and the remaining 2000 plus civil servants will pull up their socks. How much do you think the country can save if politicians take a cut? About $100K? Please! Cutting the lazy fat from the service in addition to the other measures will save us over $20mil!!
Well put together article I am sure u can go on and on with more facts and no one can oppose your article. Good job!!!!
you got the government you deserve
keep writing, talk to them let them see the bigger picture…..
The word is sentence.
like your comments ! well done .
Mr.,
I do not agree with your post at all. The people of the BVI needs to stop generalizing about the public service. If you take a hand full of public servants and say they do these types of things then fine. I do not see this type of behaviour in my Ministry or have heard of that in any departments under us. I do not care about a stupid increment, which is 40.00 on to my pay. THe bottom line is that we got a job.
I am tired of you people degrading the public service. YOu will be surprised to learn that majority of them work really heard and this evidenced when persons are recognized during the employee of the quarter; at times they go unrecognized. Maybe public servants should really start behaving the way you people say they are then i will like to hear what would be said then. If matters take to long, blame it on the long drawn out policies of Government. I can not over step the boundaries of my job description. For once just shut up!!!!!
Whoever wrote this, you are a dammmmn fool. All we are talking about here is an INCREMENT CUT, NOT EVEN A PAY CUT. In the USVI everyone took an 8% pay cut, then some got laid off. Are you saying to me that being laid off and getting unemployment benefits is better than receiving a FULL SALARY but having your increment reduced? Something is seriously wrong with your logic.
All over the world people are losing their jobs or taking pay cuts and you come on here biatching about an increment reduction?? BVIslanders have truly become an ungrateful and unreasonable people. You say that a lot of government employees come in late and waste time on the job. And still you want a full increment? Nah, something wrong with you man. This is a rambling article and makes very little sense in relations to “an increment reduction”. You still have your full salary to pay for gas, rent, food. etc. How about finding a second job like many of us do??
Whoever u r, u hit the nail right on the head. Well done!
..Government is spending approximately 48% of its $260M budget on labor. But it is common knowledge that productivity is extremely low. Low productivity has a huge price tag both in cost and quality of service. Who is to blame? Often times employees get the blame.
But it is shared blame among leaders/managers/supervisors, employees, organizational culture, sense of entitlement….etc. The bottomline is poor leadership, and lack of accountabilty and responsibility permits this performance. Each employee has a supervisor so employees are doing what the supervisor allows. And every supervisor has supervisor. But if the supervisory is engaging in similar behaviour he/she cannot demand something different from employees. Leadership by example is needed and vital.
There is too much complaceny in government; a sense of urgency is needed. Transformational change is needed. All ministers, along with senior officers, need to read Leading Change, and Our Iceberg is Melting by John Kotter. They are must read.
Justin Time, you made some good points. I feel your pain and hear the frustration in your voice. Share the other half with us!
Many people Bi*ch about the civil servants but the most unprofessional people I have encountered was from in the public sector
Civil servants are public employees. Did u mean private sector? In any event.l, both sectors need to improve the level of customer service. Customers are not inconveniences ; they are vital and critical to the survival of any biz. The BVI is in service biz and customer service is its life blood.
If a worker in the private sector behaved as you state many civil servants do, then they wouldn’t be bitching about losing their Guaranteed pay rise. They’d be looking for a new job!!
Perhaps this cut will encourage the lazy , greedy civil servants who have been milking the government and taxpayers of the BVI for all this years, to wake up and start working for the money they earn!
I agree 100% with Justin time about civil servant cheating the government out of their time. Just idle on the job, dont talk about dont care attitude, just conscern about their montly salary and for those who on contract , dem just saying all them waiting for is to collect their lump sum after two years contract. This contract thing is what the government needs to look into. Themoney needs to be given to those who work for it not those who dont.
The politicians in the last government didn’t earn their pay in your opinion? Tough! They were elected by we, the voters, weren’t they?
From the time you talk about the endless “festivals and parades” I know you are not from here, and probably not from any Caribbean country because all those festivals and parades are OUR way of celebrating OUR emancipation and are an integral part of OUR culture. Something you would understand if this was your country. So since it isn’t your country, why don’t you keep your opinions to yourself? After all, we don’t go to your country and tell you how to celebrate the 4th of July, Bastille Day, or whatever.
And if by some bizarre chance you ARE from here, you should be ashamed of yourself for your lack of knowledge of your own culture and history.
i have to agree with the writer of this article that all these festivities in the different villages is a waste of tax payere monies, i am a bvi islander, when i was growing up there was one festival in road town celebrating our freedom, now they turn it into a money grabbing adventure and every greedy jackdonkey is jumping on the bandwagon and the government is sponsoring them cause the elected officials are benefiting from them financially. They need to stop wasting the people’s money for fun when you got filth running in your town daily, no water, no reliable affordable public transportation. but here we go
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