CLO wants to hold discussions with the government

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The Central Federation of Civil Servants’ Organizations (CLO) is ready to hold discussions with the government. These talks will address the payment of a 50 percent salary increase from 2020, the issue of tax relief, and the new wage round for 2025. The union hopes to begin these discussions as early as December this year.
Michael Miskin, the chairman of the CLO, says that if negotiations are successful this year, they should begin in January 2025. By the end of October, civil servants who are still part of the Government Job Information System (FISO) should expect to receive retroactive wage increases based on the agreement made with the Bouterse government in 2020.
The administrative processing for this will only occur in November this year and in February and March of next year. Speaking to STVS, Miskin mentioned that the raise is based on the 2018 salary. After prolonged negotiations, it was agreed with the government that this increase, with retroactive effect, would start to be paid in October. The CLO now has it in writing that this payment will be executed in the previously specified months, albeit with delays.
According to Miskin, the government had indicated it was unable to pay the dues in December and January. This is partly due to the payment of other retroactive amounts based on the July 2024 agreement. The dues still owed to clerical officers from the 2020 agreement apply to those still in FISO. Not every civil servant is eligible for this, Miskin clarifies.
He further stated that President Chan Santokhi had, since November 2023, instructed the Negotiating Body and the Minister of Finance and Planning to reach a payment agreement. Additionally, arrangements must be made on how the 50 percent increase from 2020 will be disbursed.