Anguilla
FULL IMPACT OF WAGE ADJUSTMENT – The Anguillian Newspaper – The Weekly Independent Paper of Anguilla
During the 2023 Budget Presentation by the Honourable Premier, Dr Ellis L Webster, on December 16, 2022, mention was made that the Government is looking favourably at giving a well-deserved pay increase to public servants. Commendable, one could say.
There is probably wide support for such a pay increase, as public servants have not had one in a number of years. In fact, some years ago, civil servants were asked to make sacrifices with regard to their salaries. Consequently, they experienced a reduction in salary.
Premier Webster noted during discussion of the Supplementary Appropriation Budget at the November 29 sitting of the House of Assembly, that the government was ensuring that the debt owed to public servants for over ten years would be paid off in full. This government’s commitment recently to remedy that predicament by repaying public servants’ lost wages, was much appreciated, I am sure.
But, to recommend pay increments for public servants during a time of economic challenge on the island might be a two-edged sword. It may seem reasonable, on the surface, but the undertow may be too rough.
Those of us who have been around for a while are aware of the impact that a pay increase to public servants has had on the economy in Anguilla. We would recall that whenever Government has given public servants a pay increase, it has been inflationary. Why? When people have more disposable monies, they tend to spend more and spend more for higher quality items. This is a basic principle of economics. Spending more is, in and of itself, inflationary.
When Government speaks of increasing the wages of public servants, persons wonder where the money will come from to fund the increase. Most persons in Anguilla have concluded that this increase will most likely come from revenue generated through taxation – the Goods and Services Tax (GST), among others.
Keep in mind that the cost of living in Anguilla has also gone up substantially over the last 12 months, in part, due to factors outside of Anguilla – global economic pressures, but also due to the 13% GST and other fees for essential services across the island. We all know what we have been experiencing since the introduction of GST just over six months ago.
Many persons in Anguilla view a government pay increase to public servants as another strike against the private sector and the least fortunate among our people. Many see this as placing an additional financial burden on the rest of the populace. It seems grossly unfair that persons whose salaries will not be changed and who will not get an increase, might have to endure the hardship of being taxed so that government is in a position to increase the wages for their workers in the public service.
Recently, there has been much talk of establishing a minimum wage, especially for workers in the private sector. Perhaps that is a good thing, but we have yet to see what those talks will yield. However, we must bear in mind that if a minimum wage introduced in Anguilla puts additional financial burden on employers at this time of unprecedented economic challenge around the world, and certainly in Anguilla, then a major fall-out from the impact is likely.
A number of employers may have no choice but to cut back on employment – they may cut back on new hiring, reduce the number of current employees or cut back on the number of hours their employees come to work. That will contribute to longer production time and lower quality of service. There are a number of hospitality workers who are struggling to survive day-to-day, but their employers will tell you that if they had to increase the room rates for occupancy at their properties to accommodate increased operations cost, many of their guests would likely choose another destination.
So, to talk of increasing the wages for public servants, one has to look at the multiplier effect of doing so, in addition to the overall impact it will have on the economy and the cost of living for all.
When the cost-of-living goes up, it will also go up for Government. What that means is that the government will then be forced to raise more taxes. When you trigger an event that leads to higher inflation, you, as a consumer of goods and services, will also have budgetary shortfalls. And when you do, you will need to fill the revenue gap. Historically, Anguilla’s government has gone the route of increased taxation rather than finding creative ways to cut costs.
So, here comes the introduction of another tax or an increased adjustment to existing taxes. That would bring in the additional revenue needed to accommodate wage increases, but all to the detriment of the consuming public.
The argument here is not whether a pay increase is warranted for public servants, or a minimum wage is needed for private sector employees. The issue is where will the source of money come from to cover the increase in wages? And if the funding source is taxation, then isn’t that source which, today, is responsible for choking off the local economy?
The full scope of wage adjustment has many challenging issues that should first be systematically worked through with sensitivity and empathy for all stakeholders involved before its implementation comes into effect.
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Anguilla
MEMBERS PLEASED WITH REBUILDING PROGRESS OF THE SHIMEI SDA CHURCH BUILDING IN LONG BAY



The Pastor and members of the Shimei Seventh-day Adventist Church say they are excited with the progress of the rebuilding of the church building in Long Bay.
The latest development was the casting of the floor “jollification” style on Sunday 26th February, 2023. Work on “pouring the floor” started early in the morning when the truck rolled on the property to ‘shoot’ the concrete.
Workmen from the Mount Fortune and New Life churches in the east had traveled to the west to participate in the work. They were accompanied by the church sisters who cooked and distributed a delicious Sunday meal.
Pastor Lester Jules is the Pastor assigned to the Shimei Ministry, as well as the Jireh Ministry in South Hill. He shared with The Anguillian his feelings about the casting of the floor:
“We have registered good progress with the pouring of the floor,” he said. “This work spells excitement, hope, and great expectations, as we continue on this worthwhile project for the Lord. We were joined by members from the other districts who came down to assist us, and indeed we are thankful for all the help we can get.”
“The effort was crowned with a very tasty lunch provided by the women of the Mount Fortune Church. Indeed, we thank them immensely,” Pastor Jules said. “We remain resolute and committed to having this church project completed for the work of Christ in the not too distant future.”
Pastor Howard Simon is in charge of the churches in East End. He is the Coordinator of the building project, and one of his duties is to ensure that there is adequate manpower for the work.
He told the Anguillian Newspaper he is eager to see the Shimei church completed.
“Pastor Jules marshaled his troops,” he said, “and we from Mount Fortune and New Life joined forces with them to make the work easier. It was a wonderful experience. We had a tremendous time. We had a lot of folks down there engaged in the casting of the floor. The ladies from Mount Fortune provided a sumptuous lunch for us, and we thank them wholeheartedly.”
“We had gone down there before as a team to work with the Chief Contractor, Brother Earnest Fleming, on some other preparatory work for the floor pouring. All in all, Sunday’s work was quite rewarding and our united efforts proved to be a great success.
Remarkably, the Shimei Ministry was the first Seventh-day Adventist church established in Anguilla in the early 1930s, but the body of believers had no building of their own in which to worship. Services were held in Edmond Hodge’s home – one of the members – before a little shelter was built, which was occupied for a number of years.
Since then, a building was dedicated in 1987. The new building, now in progress, promises to be a magnificent edifice when it is completed. This 11,935 square-foot structure will replace that 1987 building which was destroyed by Hurricane Irma in 2017.
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DISCLAIMER:
Underneath Part 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “honest use” for functions akin to criticism, remark, information reporting, instructing, scholarship, and analysis. Honest use is a use permitted by copyright statute that may in any other case be infringing.”
Anguilla
ANGLEC ENTHUSED WITH ROLLOUT OF THREE ELECTRIC CARS – The Anguillian Newspaper – The Weekly Independent Paper of Anguilla

ANGLEC has unveiled three state-of-the-art electric powered cars.
The roll out on Friday afternoon, 24th February, is in keeping with its commitment to “serve you better”, and to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.
ANGLEC’s CEO, Mr. Sutcliffe Hodge, introduced the two Chevrolet Bolts and one Nissan Leaf to the press, with emphasis placed on ANGLEC’s determination to move away from fossil fuel operated vehicles, to more efficient environmentally friendly vehicles over the course of time.
Mr. Hodge said that due to the impacts that fossil fuels have made on the environment all around the world, there is the need to transition to cleaner sources of energy. He said: “Over the past few decades, there has been much research work done on how to transition fossil fuel-operated automobiles away from fossil fuel to the use of other energies such as hydrogen and electricity, in particular.”
“For ANGLEC, as the supplier of Anguilla’s electricity, it seems almost like a natural relationship,” he said, “whereby ANGLEC should lead the way with Anguilla’s transitioning away from the use of fossil fuel cars towards using electrical vehicles.”
“A couple weeks after taking up my appointment at ANGLEC,” he said, “we started having the conversation about using electrical vehicles, and we decided that it is something that we must do. Now today, we are unveiling three electrical vehicles which ANGLEC has purchased.”
“Starting today,” he continued, “ANGLEC will have branded electrical vehicles on the road which will represent a mobile billboard for us, saying ‘100% fuel-free’. With these cars, we would realise zero emissions and a significant reduction in running costs.”
ANGLEC’s Chief Operations Manager, Mr. Steve Hodge, commended the efforts of the CEO for ANGLEC’s acquiring of the three electrical vehicles.
“I must give kudos to Mr. Hodge as our CEO. Shortly after he joined ANGLEC, the idea of electric vehicles dominated one of the first conversations he had with me. He made sure he would accelerate our acquisition of electrical cars and begin to move away from fossil fuel powered vehicles”, Mr. Steve Hodge said.
“As the Electricity provider for Anguilla, we keep our eyes focused on how our use of electrical vehicles would benefit our customers. These vehicles will give us greater efficiency, helping us cut operating costs in the long run. And naturally, a more efficient ANGLEC ultimately benefits our customers”, he told the press.
The Chief Operations Manager noted that the introduction of the three electric vehicles must be considered as Phase 1 in what will be an ongoing process of significantly reducing ANGLEC’s reliance on fuel-powered vehicles.
He stated that as ANGLEC acquires more electric vehicles, the fossil fuel-operated vehicles will be sold.
The introduction of the electric cars takes ANGLEC’s fleet to thirty-three, including thirty gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles.
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DISCLAIMER:
Underneath Part 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “honest use” for functions akin to criticism, remark, information reporting, instructing, scholarship, and analysis. Honest use is a use permitted by copyright statute that may in any other case be infringing.”
Anguilla
ANGUILLIANS SHOULD ALL KNOW THAT WE HAVE A SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE #1 – The Anguillian Newspaper – The Weekly Independent Paper of Anguilla
This initiative is now proving to be of great interest to businesses everywhere.
In this series of articles we will be explaining the Special Economic Zone and how it will benefit the economy of Anguilla and all Anguillians
AZUR is the name of Anguilla’s Special Economic Zone, set up by the Chord Group with substantial support from the Government, through a suite of legislation, and offers impressive concessions whilst creating fabulous lifestyle options.
Companies within the Zone are focused on trading globally, not locally, and are designed to facilitate trade on an international basis.
Establishing a business in the Special Economic Zone should be an attractive option for companies who are looking to branch out into different markets. With the right infrastructure supporting them, these businesses can gain access to many opportunities while avoiding the financial costs and restrictions associated with setting up a company in new markets globally.
Businesses searching for low administrative costs, tax benefits, and access to new markets often register their businesses globally, which AZUR makes easy.
With a specialized infrastructure in place, businesses can take advantage of the tax incentives and market opportunities offered by Anguilla without a large physical footprint.
To find out how you could benefit please visit AZURSEZ.com or contact us at info@azursez.com.
Alternatively contact our Zone Manager, Steve Garlick on 264 729 2793 s.garlick@azursez.com
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All rights/copyrights of the text and imagery belong to their respective owner, we do NOT claim any ownership.
DISCLAIMER:
Underneath Part 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “honest use” for functions akin to criticism, remark, information reporting, instructing, scholarship, and analysis. Honest use is a use permitted by copyright statute that may in any other case be infringing.”
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