Police Commissioner Chester Williams has voiced his concerns over the unions’ protests over the ten percent salary cut and increment freeze. The high-ranking official says he empathizes with the public officers and teachers, but does not agree with their reluctance in working with the government.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police: “I have always said I support the government’s move to support the ten percent salary. I believe that it is in the best interest of the country and if it is that we want to see ourselves get out of the financial crisis we are in we all must sacrifice something. The private sector for the most party have taken the brunt of what had occurred. Many of those in the private sector didn’t have the chance to negotiate, they come to work one morning and they were relieved from duties because there’s no money to pay. Some of them took a pay cut without any negotiation so whilst I do understand what the unions are fighting for I do understand the position that the government is in and what they are trying to do in terms of ensuring that we as a country do what we can to be able to restore our country to the way where we want it to be so that everyone can prosper and I think that’s the important thing.”
Love News asked the Police Commissioner to give his views on the unions’ clamor for good governance and the implementation of new and amended legislation including UNCAC and the Whistleblowers.