WICB set to slash salaries

Recommendations from the WICB’s finance committee leaked to Barbados Nation newspaper editor-in-chief Harold Hoyte have spelled out ways to wipe US$3 million off the board’s annual expenses. It includes wide-ranging cuts that will also significantly affect the senior team’s preparations for domestic tournaments.

According to the Nation, the major cuts will be in the following areas (all figures in US dollars):

* Salaries by $121,000

* Travel by $71,000

* Telecommunications by $113,000

* Marketing and PR by $218,000

* Tours and tournaments by $983,000

* Team preparation for domestic tournaments by $120,000

* Third party fees and meeting costs by $200,000

* Development fund by $600,000 (monies paid to territorial boards).

The cuts were recommended by a committee that included Enoch Lewis (chairman), Avondale Thomas Gregory Georges and Tony Marshall. The newspaper said the committee recommended cuts in travel and accommodation expenses, a re-examination of all employment contracts, an audit of human resources and a reduction in per diem allowances to be brought in line with regional corporate levels.

The committee also suggested a review of credit card usage on a quarterly basis and a review of all retainer contracts and leveraging of Internet and meeting costs with hotels.