Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley is about to get a salary boost.
This as the Salaries Review Commission (SRC) recommended salary increases for several of the country’s top public officials.
In its 117th report, the SRC is proposing a more than 30 per cent hike in the Prime Minister’s monthly salary, moving it from $59,680 per month to $80,000 per month.
This will make the head of government, the public official with the highest monthly salary.
The commission’s 113th and 117th reports were laid in the House of Representatives by Finance Minister Colm Imbert on Friday.
In presenting the reports, Imbert said in the 113th report, the President by letter dated March 13, 2020 gave approval for the SRC to undertake a general review of the terms and conditions of officers under its purview. Paula-Mae Weekes was president then.
The 2020 review, Imbert continued, examined economic challenges that TT was experiencing as a result of the covid19 pandemic and compared it to economic challenges in 2014, when the SRC last reviewed terms and conditions for offices under its purview.
That review is contained in the 98th SRC report which was laid in the House on February 14, 2014.
In that report, the President, Prime Minister and Opposition Leader had monthly salaries of $64,270, $59,680 and $29,590 respectively.
These are their current monthly salaries.
In the 117th SRC report, their respective proposed monthly salaries are $73,920, $80,000 and $47,500.
The Chief Justice’s monthly salary remains at $50,350.
The proposed salary increases for other public officials such as cabinet ministers, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives and the police commissioner are small.
In the 117th report, Imbert said the President by letter dated April 14, 2023 gave approval for the commission to review the terms and conditions of service of offices within its purview, based on the results of a job evaluation exercise and compensation survey which was undertaken by the Personnel Department in respect of these offices.
The revised salaries for these officers, if approved, will take effect retroactively from October 1, 2020.