Commissioner of Finance Bruce Zagers announced today that the civil servants of the Public Entity of Saba can expect an increase in their salaries and benefits in line with what was negotiated between the unions and the RCN late last month. This increase will be effective as of January 1^st, 2012.

The unions and the RCN met in November and reached an agreement that would provide for a 3.25 per cent increase in the gross salary, a $500 Christmas Bonus (increased from $300 for 2011) and a 0.5 per cent increase in vacation pay that will become effective in the period July 2012-June 2013. The increase in vacation allowance will bring it to a total of 7.5%.

The Commissioner said that the increase could be implemented immediately as the increases were anticipated. Because of this a buffer was created in the budget to cover the additional salary costs. The agreement will be signed by the Governor later this month to formalize Saba’s position. 

Zagers also indicated that the Executive Council was pleased that the government could implement the increase in much a timely manner than the agreement made for 2011. “With the high cost of living it is important that civil servants receive the benefits of these negotiations sooner rather than later