Hamilton, Bermuda: Government workers are today faced with the possibility of experiencing an eight percent pay cut in salaries, according to a report on Caribbean 360. However Chris Furbert, President of the Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU), explained that there would be a corresponding eight percent in deduction in the workers’ pension contributions to balance out the figures and keep workers’ income at the same level.
It is still unclear at this time whether all government workers or just civil servants earning more than $70, 000 a year will be affected by the salary cuts.
Furbert explained that government had tabled a suggestion to freeze pension contributions to the superannuation fund from itself and from employees during a joint meeting last Monday with the BIU and the Bermuda Public Services Union. However, the BIU is yet to accept or reject government’s proposal which will also see government promising no layoffs or redundancies over the next 12 months, the Caribbean 360 report said.
Furbert disclosed that Premier Paula Cox had offered to take a pay cut herself as a sign of the tough economic times, but could not speak as to whether or not the Cabinet will follow suit. All the unions are expected to meet on Wednesday at noon to discuss the proposals further.
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