Implementation of Anguilla’s new public service salary framework is on pause to allow for further consultation, the deputy governor has announced.
The decision follows widespread discussion and criticism of the compensation structure derived from the results of a recently concluded pay and grading review.
In a statement circulated across the public sector on 14 June, Deputy Governor Perin Bradley said his office recognises the strength of feeling among some employees.
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“Some public servants are disappointed or concerned about how the outcome applies to them personally,” he said.
The deputy governor went on to say that following discussions with Premier Cora Richardson Hodge and Cabinet colleagues, implementation of the new salary framework has been placed on hold.
“This is intended to be a meaningful pause, allowing time for the concerns raised by officers to be properly considered,” he said.
He added that it would also allow for further engagement to take place and for the framework to be applied in a “fair, consistent and evidence-based manner”.
Salary review
Last June, during an Executive Council meeting, Bradley announced that PwC had been awarded the contract to conduct a public service pay and grading review, and it was in its early stages.
Over the next year, the independent consultants spoke with employees and independently assessed public sector roles, responsibilities and salaries against regional benchmarks.
“The approach taken sought to be objective, evidence-based and fair,” Bradley said.
“It was designed to look at posts consistently across the public service, rather than on the basis of individual opinion or preference.”
On 8 June this year, Premier Cora Richardson Hodge announced during a sitting of the Anguilla House of Assembly, that the review process was complete.
Although not yet officially made public, internal discussions and unconfirmed figures circulating on social media prompted widespread concern among various stakeholders.
Among those opposing the new structure was the official opposition which said the outcome “failed to reflect fairness and equity”.
Public sector engagement
Moving forward, the Department of Public Administration staff will continue to visit departments to explain the grading structure, help staff to understand the proposed outcomes and listen to concerns.
Officers who have comments on the proposed grading or salary outcomes are encouraged to raise their concerns informally through their head of department and during the engagement sessions.
“To assist with the timely conclusion of this engagement phase, officers are encouraged to submit any concerns by Friday, 27 June,” Bradley said.
The Department of Public Administration is also finalising a formal review mechanism to provide officers with an appropriate avenue for concerns to be considered after the current engagement phase.
This process will focus on clarification, consistency of application and any material issues arising from the grading outcomes, the deputy governor said.
Further details, including the relevant criteria and timelines, will be communicated “in due course”, he added.
