Pay hike for Defence Force

The proposed increase was approved after an interim agreement, in February, with Chief Personnel Officer Narieman Ahamad-Hosein for the period 2001 to 2004. Negotiations for the years 2005 to 2007 have not commenced.

This was revealed by acting Commanding Officer Lt Col Rodney Smart at a financial fair at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya, yesterday.

He said the increases will be given out according to rank. Finance sources said recruits presently receive $93.20 a day. With a pending increase in their pay packets, Smart said officers ought to use the fair to learn how to use the money wisely.

“Officers need to see experts to (receive) best advice before making decisions,” Smart said as he addressed members of the Defence Force. Smart mentioned that he had received numerous letters from institutions to hold financial seminars for the officers.

He also encouraged financial businesses to develop a partnership with the fair, which was organised by Chief of Defence Staff Ancil Antoine, the Civil Military Affairs Department and the Finance Department.

The fair also featured booths set up by insurance companies British American, Colfire, Maritime Financial Group, as well as the Unit Trust Corporation and the Trinidad and Tobago Mortgage Finance Company Limited.