THE perception that contract workers are receiving ‘super salaries’ was recently debunked by Minister of Public Service, Dr. Jennifer Westford during an interview on ‘Political Scope’ on the National Communications Network (NCN).The minister was at the time highlighting some of the functions of the Public Service Ministry, which include the competent management of key public institutions; the development of the human capital; and ensuring a peaceful industrial climate.

The Political Opposition and some sections of the media are of the view that contract workers are earning “super salaries”, but, as Minister Westford explained, the difference between a contract worker and one on the pensionable establishment is that the latter will work until age 55 or 60 years, and receive a pension, while the former receives a contract gratuity every six months. This payment, she said, is based on the same pension scheme calculation of 22.5 % of the contracted worker’s salary.

Minister Westford said that according to the Public Service law, “any public service staff can decide whether they want to be a pension worker or a contract worker.” She, however, explained that there is a category of workers who, because they are working on foreign-funded projects, are paid based on what the projects provide.

“You have a category of contracted workers, working in the Public Sector, that do not hold a position in the Public Service. Those people are on foreign-funded projects, and the projects determine the salaries of those persons… Some of those projects are coming to an end; their salaries are adjusted, because they would now be on the Public Service payroll,” Minister Westford said. (GINA)