The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE practice of “double dipping” has formally ended for workers in public corporations.

For years civil servants had been able to enjoy a regular salary and collect sick benefits at a cost of nearly $10m a year to the public purse.

But since March 1st, workers in public corporations can no longer do this, according to Labour and National Insurance Minister Shane Gibson.

Paul Maynard, President of the Bahamas Electrical Workers Union (BEWC), also confirmed this with The Tribune yesterday.

Mr Gibson’s revelation comes several weeks after the minister said it is “doubtful” the government will fulfil a prior declaration to end “double dipping” across the entire public service on March 1st given that the salaries and benefits of people working in government ministries and departments “are not the same as those in public corporations.”

Nonetheless, John Pinder, President of the Bahamas Public Services Union (BPSU), indicated yesterday that workers in public corporations have been responsible for “millions” of the $10 million per year that the public purse loses from “double dipping,” suggesting that just as much will now be saved.

Mr Pinder added that the government has consulted him on whether it should end “double dipping” across the entire public service.

Public corporation workers now have to collect their sick benefits from the National Insurance Board (NIB) and take their NIB cheque to relevant officials when they return to work. Failure to do this will result in them receiving “pay cuts,” Mr Maynard explained.