Approximately 30,000 public servants will receive their back pay by Christmas.
Finance Minister Colm Imbert made that revelation in the House on Wednesday in response to a question from Barataria/San Juan MP Saddam Hosein.
However, he said police officers may not be included in this number.
Imbert said efforts are being made to ensure they receive their back pay as soon as possible.
“I am satisfied that in the order of 30,000 will be paid in accordance with the announcement.”
Imbert listed the trade unions that accepted the Government’s offer of a four per cent wage increase before the budget’s presentation.
They included the TT Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA), Fire Service 2nd division, Amalgamated Workers Union (AWU), TT Police Social and Welfare Association (TTPSWA), Prison Officers Association 2nd division, TT Defence Force (TTDF) pay review committee and the Prison Service 1st division officer association.
Imbert said, “This has been quite a difficult exercise. I am fairly confident that the following associations will be paid in accordance with the announcement.”
He identified TTUTA and the Fire Service, with 17,000 and over 4,000 members respectively as the first beneficiaries.
All divisions of the prison officers association will receive their back pay before Christmas.
Imbert said all arms of the TTDF (Coast Guard, Army and Air Guard) “were paid already prior to the presentation of the national budget.”
He hinted there were challenges with making back pay to police officers by Christmas.