ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, (CMC) – The Grenada government says it will cost more than EC$22 million (One EC dollar =US$0.37 cents) to meet the agreements on wage increases signed with several trade unions for the next three years.

Labour Minister Oliver Joseph said that the Government Negotiating Team (GBT) has reached agreements with three trade unions for workers to receive salary increases of three per cent this year, a further three per cent next year and four per cent in 2019.

He said that the increases will result in the government having to pay EC$22.9 million to workers over the next three years and that the Keith Mitchell government has also budgeted for a one – off payment of EC$5.9 million for workers for the period 2013-2016.

He said that some workers will receive EC$1,000 dollars, while others on the job for a shorter period will receive half that amount.

“It’s a thousand dollars, but if you’re working for less than a year, then you will get a lesser amount – you will get 500. You would not get the same amount as those who worked for more than a year. They will get a thousand,” he told reporters.

Delivering the EC#1.01 billion budget to Parliament last month, Prime Minister Mitchell said he was determined to address the sacrifices made by public servants and others during the period of adjustment.

He said once agreement is reached with the trade unions “the new salaries will be implemented with effect 1st January, 2017,” adding that for the first time ever, “we are working toward a one-off payment agreement to every public officer who would have served a substantial portion of the period 2013-2016, in recognition of their contribution and shared sacrifice during the Homegrown programme.