Bishop Cline blasts lawmakers over huge pay hikes
Bishop John Cline has criticised members of the House of Assembly for quietly awarding themselves salary increases that more than doubled their pay, saying the decision has caused “legitimate outrage and anger and disappointment all wrapped into one”.
Speaking after the Auditor General’s report revealed the details of the salary hikes, Cline said he accepted that increases were needed but condemned the scale of the raise.
“From the previous salaries, it is obvious that an increase was needed. No one, I believe, who understands the cost of living can argue with the fact that an increase was needed,” he stated.
He explained that the government appeared to have taken the maximum recommendation from a consultancy review and applied it across the board.
“The maximum recommendation more than doubled just about everyone’s salary. I say more than doubled. Now, that is where the problem is. Because more than double, saw the Minister of Finance and the Premier’s salary went up 145%, from $72,000 a year to $176,000 a year,” he said.
The Bishop pointed to the struggles of ordinary residents, many of whom have not seen comparable increases.
“While we agree that you should have gotten an increase, to max it out while there are other statutory bodies, civil servants, and persons working in government who have not themselves gotten an increase of even 30%… When there are persons in this community who cannot make ends meet… Why could you do the same thing for yourselves?” he asked.
Cline warned that the raises would have a lasting impact, particularly on retirement benefits tied to salaries.
“What you will see is how these raises will impact the greedy bill, the retirement package. Because as their salaries are increased, along with allowances and all the other attachments they have, then their retirement package will increase. So that has gone up quite a bit also,” he explained.
The Auditor General’s report confirmed that the new salaries came into effect from January 2024. Public backlash has been widespread, with residents voicing frustration over the lack of transparency. Critics have linked the decision to earlier concerns about poor financial management and the controversial retirement package passed in 2021, widely known as the “greedy bill”.
Cline said the issue should not fade away.
“We should not let it die. It should not be a nine-day talk because we are to hold our elected representatives responsible for delivering for the good of the people of this country and the country at large. Let’s hold them responsible,” he urged.
The controversy has left many Virgin Islanders demanding stronger accountability from their leaders as the territory continues to struggle with budgetary constraints and unfinished projects.
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If they can ALL secretly do that and we are NOT yet independent, One can imagine what independence will look like
You too fighting for your lion share that is why you advocating independence but you pretending to be an advocate for the people.
Wait until you get your foothold in Government
We are still waiting on the neighbourhood watch program and other services government paid you handsomely for.
Six of one and half dozen of the next. Blame slavery for the increase while PENSIONERS suffer
You have the wrong Cline mister or miss. Pay attention to the details, please before levying unfounded accusations.
.. because you weren’t part of it ?
Those Salaries will never go back down no matter what the public says.We need to move on and focus on Bank of Asia and other public waste.
Breathe in, Breathe out…Move on
Thieves, plunderers and crooks,every last one of them, from the 1st to the. 9th.
They have accompished their number one iten on the elected agenda.
Pensioners, the aged and needy and every oone else arre sent to suck sorrows and salt. What a heartless bunch Lord!
And sadly, Virgin Islanders people and voters are gooing to do nor say nothing, and will proobaby vote those heartless beast in next time.
We frig but God will speak. He will have the last say on this.
Virgin Islands future hinges on good governance, not just democracy.
Competence and accountability must trump periodic votes.
Let’s demand leaders who serve, not thief.
I hope he knows is the real belongers who did that
Could not have said it better
I wonder which race or nationality they can blame for this?
There is nothing wrong to increase the wages but in all good conscience the 13 of them should have done that later.
Not when pensionsers have not been sorted out
We are operaring under conditions:
Every week water issues
Electricity issues
East End clinic closed down because government did not pay the bill
Problem to give people SS Public Assistance
Cannot restore the green house
Cannot subsidize farmers
Wait this was not time for such an unconsiderable action
Politicians first
Country next
Why do you think all of The members of The VIP are sucking up to the Premier and calling him Moses and Jesus?..because they are benefitting more than any other parliamentary representative in the history of The BVI, from these increases..they have it worked out in their heads how rich they will be after these few yrs.
Don’t worry Bishop, they won’t be making as much as you.
Can we pensioners get a 100% increase too as we can’t afford to even live on our Social Security pension?!
HONESTLY SPEAKING ~ what us your view in this and why haven’t you hollered out on this as you do on everything else ?
You don’t want Myron or the alliance talk about it but you can.
Hush John cline because you say the $5 million USD to bank of Asia should be swept under carpet of lineage family dynasty and the Vybz Kartel quarter million USD.
The BiShUP , is saying )> well am making myself perfectly clear ftmrom the biblical view i have to say it out loud and clear • (YOU GUYS ARE GREEDIER THAN I AM ) and thats breaking it down gently • trump Ain’t got nothing on you all .
Imaging John. After years of collecting peoples %10 in church every month end, and %2 during the week with your fake religion practices. Now you want to hit the Bvi treasury the same way. You think we stupid John the wifer?
Winning in an election is like hitting the jackpot. It’s a story of rags to riches. It’s a story that every member of the HOA can tell because they have been able to make decisions that will ensure that they milk public’s purse til death and beyond (as spouse also benefit if the politicians die first).
Sir, Why do you call yourself Bishop? when the word
‘bishop’ refers to a male reproductive organ
I need to throw anuddah power plus squared extravaganza cause it got gwop galore and this Porsche needs to be upgraded….
Coming soon!!! Get ready folks!
This an insult to those of us who give the country over 30 or 40 years of service.
We helped to build this country. How can our brittled bones go to work again.
PREMIER, YOU ARE WRONG.