In a significant development for Tobago’s public sector workforce, 920 permanent employees of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) are set to receive their long-awaited back payments between December 18-23. The confirmation comes from THA Secretary of Finance and the Economy Petal-Ann Roberts, who verified the payment timeline through official communications on December 11.
The financial settlement follows a landmark memorandum of agreement signed on December 2 between the Public Services Association (PSA) and the Chief Personnel Officer. The comprehensive agreement includes a 10% wage increase, consolidation of Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) for the periods 2014-2016 and 2017-2019, and substantial back pay totaling $3.8 billion Trinidad and Tobago dollars.
Hayden Duke, PSA’s Tobago region industrial relations officer, expressed profound relief at the resolution, noting that permanent civil servants would definitely receive their entitled payments. “I am ecstatic,” Duke told Newsday, reflecting on the four-year struggle during which employees worked with 2013 salary scales in 2026.
The breakthrough concludes a decade-long negotiation period that saw workers initially offered a “utterly disrespectful” 4% increase by the previous administration. PSA President Felisha Thomas celebrated the achievement in a December 10 circular, stating: “Your sacrifice has not been in vain. Today, we are proud to announce that your resilience has delivered meaningful results.”
The new salary structure will take effect in January 2026, with allowances retroactive to January 1, 2014. The settlement delivers on campaign promises made by current Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who had committed to the 10% wage increase during the UNC’s election campaign following the PSA’s rejection of the previous government’s offer.