Director of Communications in the Office of the Prime Minister, Latrae Rahming released a video message on Thursday defending the government on the public service salary increases.

Approximately 17,000 workers received promised salary adjustment payouts this week. However, some are dissatisfied with the amounts they received. Rahming said, “since 2021, civil servants have received a salary increase every single year under this administration. That level of consistency has not be seen in more than a decade. Teacher and nurses received upgraded salaries, higher allowances, expanded insurance and retention bonuses. Police, Defence Force and Corrections officers received better entry level rates, improved allowances and fairer overtime and duty systems. Line staff and administrative staff receive higher scales, increased allowances and restored increments. Thousands of long overdue promotions and confirmations were completed. Many contract workers gained permanent posts with full benefits. Pensioners received an uplift after years without movement. Insurance coverage was expanded for public officers and the national minimum wages was increased for the first time in seven years.”

According to Rahming the government salary review exercise is the first conducted in nearly two decades.