PARAMARIBO (CMC)-The government of Suriname and the Council of Trade Union Federations in Suriname (Ravaksur) have reached an agreement on salary increases after months of intense negotiations.Â
The deal, which includes a phased 20 per cent wage hike and additional benefits, marks a turning point in labor relations and could have far-reaching implications for the country’s economy.
President Chandrikapersad Santokhi has welcomed the agreement, emphasizing that it reflects the trust between his administration and the labour movement.
The comprehensive package, which includes provisions for retroactive payments and pension adjustments, comes at a crucial time as Suriname grapples with economic challenges and seeks to boost worker morale.
The government and Ravaksur announced Monday night that they had reached a new wage agreement, ending months of negotiations.
Last week, the government had announced that it offered a 20 per cent salary increase, but chairman of the Surinamese Police Union, Poetini Atompa, told reporters that no agreement had yet been reached following talks last Tuesday.
The trade unions have taken the position that they negotiate separately, and separate proposals have been made by the unions representing the police, fire brigade, penitentiary officials and the Security and Assistance Service, apart from the agreement reached with Ravaksur.
On Monday night, the parties announced that as of July 1, the wage increase is 15 per cent, with an additional five per cent increase to be added on January 1 next year.
In addition, the purchasing power increase of SRD 3,500 will be incorporated into the salaries of the security forces as of January 1, after the five per cent increase.
The government said that as a result of the new agreement, this year’s increase has a price tag of SRD835 million, with the expenditure increasing to more than SRD 2.5 billion next year.
The agreement allows for the purchasing power enhancement to be continued from August to December.
Retroactive salary increases for the months of July, August and September will be paid in the months of October, November and December.
The pension payments will be adjusted based on the new salary series. There will be further consultations on the subsequent awarding of the purchasing power enhancement of SRD3,500 that was not paid in July.
President Santokhi said that the agreement reflects the trust between the government and the trade unions.
Agreement has also been reached with the security unions on the principle agreement that was reached with Ravaksur.
Santokhi is also hopeful that an agreement could be reached soon on the energy rates, saying these will be lower than initially projected and that further discussions to reach a settlement are ongoing.
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