It is fairly worthy of note that Premier Romeo presented today, a budget that was late in coming, which seemed from first appearance, having kept the substance of it almost as secret as he could, or should we say as is so often the norm, to have been received kindly, at least for now.
Compared with the several negative comments that dominated the delay in the budget presentation, it seemed that knowledge of the long-awaited salary increase for public servants was not much in the air. Is it pleasing to public servants, and will the politicians receive the three percent increase also? And will they all generally be satisfied with the increase beginning from April 1, 2017, rather than say January 2017? Will there be satisfaction and acceptance generally, especially perhaps at the method of the payment scale from three percent at the top in certain scales to 10.4 percent at the lower levels?
It is reasonable to think that the Premier did not go the route of a rollover budget earlier like St. Helena, as with the small increase, which no doubt is reflected in the $2.3 million increase in the support figure. He waited to be sure that he was able to offer the salary increase and knowing exactly the quantum of the capital budget he would receive.
A later comment will speak to whether or not the rest of workers will somehow be able to see an increase in their salaries and wages.
How soon will the capital spend be put into the economy to make that difference? There seemed little to address that other need, at last for the moment, that other than securing some ease for the complaining public servants, that did not spill outward to the private sector workers, some of whom have not seen an increase in their pay packets for over ten years.
Indeed, there are some business owners who have not been able to address a salary for themselves, existing for those who continue to believe it will change sometime.
The debate may bring this out. That if it does will show a side of the Assembly that we feel is seriously lacking, displaying the kind of ignorance unbecoming of what can be minimally expected.
There is the issue of the budget theme, “Moving Montserrat Forward
towards Self-Sustainability and Inclusive Economic Growth.”
For now, it is not clear that we are above the ground or are able to see a pinhole of light, as one leg is still behind the other! Stuck, relying, on old thoughts and beliefs, even though the sounds of visions are in the air. There is still so much to be done, beginning with simply changing the attitudes of many and doing the simple things to get the best of thoughts and ideas focused in the right way or the right direction. With all the professional help and skill, little will be the success if the wrong information is fed.
