Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony has said that while his government’s decision to institute a five percent wage cut on the public sector may hold some political danger for his party, his administration believes that it may be the best decision for the future of the country, which is of utmost importance.
Speaking to the nation in an address on Tuesday night, Dr. Anthony said that the country’s future is more important than political gain.
“Many people have asked me why are we taking such a huge political risk? Why are we embarking on a course of action that may ultimately weaken our party’s chances at the next general elections?
“There are many who believe that we should not invest so much in correcting our economy. They reason that there is no certainty that the economy will crash if we continue as is, and in any event, given that it is our political future that is at stake, it is a gamble our government should not take,” he said.
“However, the government that I lead does not believe in gambling with the future of our country and its people. We were elected to lead, to govern and to take decisions that are in the best interests of the entire country, not just a few, even if those decisions are uncomfortable and painful. The men and women who serve with me in the Cabinet are not selfishly motivated to put their own political interests over the interests of the country in which they live, their parents lived, and their children and grandchildren expect to live prosperously,” he said.
Dr. Anthony expressed confidence that “if we do what is right, our country will emerge from this stronger, more focused, more resilient and with a determination to never find ourselves in such a situation again.”
He further invited the public sector union leaders and public officers to do the right thing and “do what is in the best interest” of the country.