Cab Sec Defends Restoration of Living and Entertainment Allowance for G.O.B. C.E.O.’s

Stuart Leslie

Leslie confirmed that government C.E.O.’s had in fact lobbied for the return of their fifty percent living and housing allowance. They reasoned that such a request is fair, considering the fact that the ten percent that was taken away from public officers was returned. And, the cabinet secretary agreed with this rational. But, what about those increments for public officers that remain frozen? Cab Sec Leslie contended that C.E.O.’s cannot be compared to other public officers in this regard, because C.E.O.’s are not entitled to annual increments.

Stuart Leslie, Cabinet Secretary, P.U.P.

“When the agreement was made, when the government said we will restore salaries an allowances in effect everything was triggered. Because the agreement was that we would accept this as long as the country’s financial position is in a bad shape. First of all, increments are not automatic, you earn your increments. And just for the record C.E.O.’s does not get any increments. They earn their increments. So, it is not as if C.E.O.’s are getting something more. That is why I started with this, 2018 was the also time that C.E.O.’s got any salary increase, any increase in allowance or anything, 2018. In most jobs you go every ear people get increase. Public officers are saying right now we want our annual increase. C.E.O.’s don’t get any increase in anything. They have to go to the table and negotiate to get any increase. So, if you are talking about cost of living and so on, what we are earning right now is what the government believes a C.E.O. is worth in 2018. Think of how the world has changed between 2018 and 2022.”

Reporter

“Sir, but most people these days aren’t even making half of what a C.E.O. is making. They still have to survive without living or travel allowances.”

Stuart Leslie

“Most people don’t have to run a country, manage a one point one billion dollars economy?” Think about this, a ministry like the Ministry of Education, three hundred million dollars, C.E.O. earns seventy-six thousand dollars, plus seven hundred and fifty dollars up until we restored her allowances to fifteen hundred dollars. You go all over the world and ask, C.E.O.’s in large cooperation’s managing far smaller budget.”