By Devonne Cornelius
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN) — Premier of Nevis and Minister of Finance in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA), the Hon. Mark Brantley, said pay cuts for members of the NIA cabinet were only for three months, however, he has continued to forego his full salary.
He made that announcement at his Thursday, October 29, monthly press conference in Charlestown.
“The pay cut that we talked about for NIA cabinet members was for three months. That three month period has elapsed, and so they would have taken a 10 percent pay cut for April, May, and June. So, cabinet members, their pay should have been restored in July” he said.
“I as the Premier and leader of Cabinet, I took a 100 percent pay cut. I’ve not been paid in my capacity as Premier since March. I have said that I will continue that as my own individual effort until such time as we get the all-clear on the COVID-19 pandemic”.
In addition to the salary cuts, Cabinet members collectively contributed $13,500 each month for three months that was used to provide food vouchers of $150 each for the most vulnerable across the island of Nevis, to ensure families did not go hungry.
The food vouchers, which were redeemable at leading supermarkets on the island, were distributed in June, July, and August. Private individuals also contributed to the Cabinet’s initiative for a total value of financial input of more than $93,000.
