Pay rises ‘will cost Island too much’
Thursday 21st April 2011, 2:58PM BST.
Economic Development Minister Alan Maclean
ISLANDERS would be better off without a pay rise this year, the Economic Development Minister said yesterday.
Speaking following the release of the latest inflation-rate figures which show prices have risen on average by 3.1 per cent in the past 12 months, Senator Alan Maclean warned that wage rises would fuel retail price index rises and could lead to job losses.
He says that Islanders need to accept the ‘difficult message’ adding that the economy was still vulnerable.
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Thanks Mr millionaire Maclean.
Having less holidays this year?
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When he talks about “Islanders” this obviously excludes States members who gave themselves a nice little pay rise. When will they ever learn ?
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So says the millionaire business owner.
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ok if you are well off. what i would like is less taxation, last week as i worked a bit over the weekend, ive coughed up ( or had taken by stealth) £140.
and gst is set to rise , by the looks of it , along with most of lifes needs .
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Can’t wait to see the comments on this one!
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you have gone back,on everything you promised,that you would not do.you can’t be trusted.Talk about running with the fox,and hounds.now you have become a Yes man for the C O M,,,,,
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What a joke.
This kind of news is great for employers – many of whom are making more money that in 2010. Squeeze the poor guys – like p1ssing in the wind. Like not giving us a pay rise will sort our economic woes, like inflation is something Jersey can control …
There are forces at work that are much greater, and this kind of talk is asking the poor to subsidise the tax avoidance (all legal exploitation of the rules, of course) of the wealthy, increasing the rich poor gap.
If I don’t get a pay rise this year I will be taking serious action about it.
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Will that include all States members as well
I think not !
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And how do I live and pay for you and the rest of the incompetents in that nut house called the States of Jersey.
Get real you overpaid waste of time.
Tax UP
Food UP
Petrol UP
GST UP
Nothing down other than wages that I can see no point having a job if you can not pay your way from IT.
Will shortly joining the rest on benefits then be better off.
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Perhaps Senator Maclean can inform us if States members would have been better off without a pay rise, too. And just why does any one of them believe that they deserved it?
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So no wage increase for the States Members this year or next? yeah right.
The issue here is that while most of us would like to help out and not have a pay rise in these so called ‘vulnerable’ times we are all facing increases in the cost of living from all around us. So by not having the so called disposable income by not having a wage rise to cover these increases we are not going to spend , this in turn will create job loses.
So what is the solution? If the retail boss’s have to increase wages this will increase prices and if they don’t increase wages they will have less income from the retail sales.
One solution is for the States to increase their tax intake from offshore business’s, scrape zero ten and introduce a nominal % that is still attractive, and cut tax from the working population. This way the retail boss’s do not have to give a pay rise and the worker is left with a few quid to spend in town.
Win Win.
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This I find unbelievable. Jersey would be a whole lot better off if the minister and his collegues, both past and present,had stopped the state sector in general from awarding themselves massive annual increases and benefits over many decades, always above inflation, while the rest of the community lived in the real world. It is not by some mathamatical freak that the public sector earn today at least 30 percent more no matter what they do.These figures are well documented and have been frequently refered to. Explain minister Maclean how such an imbalance in earnings came about.
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Meanwhile an islander said, “We would be better off without the Economic Development Minister”. All good stuff, but where it getting us? Huff and no puff. The economy is in tatters and even the locals can’t get jobs.
The CoM solution. ‘Let’s all work to 67′ that will get a few more on the job market. Just where is the CoM coming from? Time for all of them to Go!
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Bet he still gets a pay rise….
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Those in charge need to accept the fact that many many more families are struggling and to kick them in the teeth with an extra 2% GST is just not on at such a delicate time economy wise, especially with a 3.1% rise in the C.O.L. I myself, from the rises I am experiencing, believe this figure is on the low side and more like 5-10% for the most basic items which everyone needs to live.
I wish they would stop using the word payrise, anything above C.O.L. is a payrise anything under is a pay cut in real terms.
MacLean needs to realise that spiraling prices are fulling the upward pressure on wages and not the other way around. He needs to sort out import/export costs and travel to and from Jersey for its residents. Cuts in these areas would curb the spiraling prices of foodstuffs etc. The regressive tax GST is not helping especially being on the necessities of life which is very poor. Not even the UK have dared do this.
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Perhaps the islands states owned and controlled utilities and service providers, JEC, JT, Water, Harbours, Airports, Income Tax deparment (GST,20/20), Social Security etc will all retract there price/charge increases so we don’t have to ? Biggest driver of Inflation to island is the States themselves ! cut your wage bill, don’t employee contractors to do work we don’t need, don’t waste more on enquiry’s into your self created problems and try this one – when business’s on the island make billons – try and share and find a way to share in that success, rather than keep tipping your hats while they bring in J Cat after J Cat and ship profits back to prop up failed parents.
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I presume this refers to State’s members as well!
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What kind of a cake-wit statement is that? Its alright for him on his £40k basic plus perks salary, and I expect an above inflation rise next year.
It just goes to show how pathetically these people are out of touch with the real world. Spending their days in the Chamber, enjoying long free lunch breaks, with free drinks back between ‘ debates ‘. Oh and the free parking.
Well Mister Maclean et al, why don’t you take a £10k or so pay cut, actually pay for your day to day existence, and then see if you can still make that statement.
Numpty.
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This man Mr Mc Clean the estate agent multimillionaire the man who gave us Waitrose the most expensive supermarket in the UK and is soon to give us 5% GST Mr Mc CLean we need to be able to afford to live here we don’t want handouts just fairness something you don’t seem to understand we need pay rises to continue to exist!!!!!!!
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Your are having a laugh.
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What he actually is saying is.. Take a 3.1% pay cut peasants!
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“Islanders will have to accept a difficult message” and politicians may also have to accept a “difficult message” come election time. I suggest he gets back to flogging houses/flats etc.
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If pay rises are going to cost the island too much,, and stop throwing the “there will be redundancies” drivel about,, then stop taxing us on everthing and anything because the more things cost the more money we will have to earn to pay for them
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Not had a pay rise for over 2 years!
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It is because of the likes of Senator M’clean that we are being driven to ask for more wages due to the gross misappropriation of public funds. He is no more than a puppet for Ozouf and Walker and does exactly what they say.
Is he stopping the gross over payment to chief officers that he employs in the states?
NO HE IS NOT!
Is he stopping our new head hatchet man at the hospital getting paid over £200,000 a year?
NO HE IS NOT!
Is he stopping the increase in private sector rents by introducing a rent control scheme?
NO HE IS NOT!
So Alan what are the peasants supposed to live on then?
This is rich coming from a man who accidentally spent £10 million pounds of taxpayers money on a town park and then went OOOOPPSS sorry that was a mistake!
People…… get used to the fact they are going to take every penny you earn and spend it on big wages for the elite civil service… have you working till your 67 to pay for it…. and you should doff your cap and say “thank you squire” for the privilege.
Its disgusting
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practice what you preach states member give your pay rise to a good cause or just refuse it in the first place
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Why do people keep saying that states members are on a wage . to me a wage is your main if not only source of income!
Most if not all states members do not rely on this as their main income.
the monies they are paid , to me is just pin money the same as their trips to india etc are free holidays paid for by you and me the tax payer……….
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I’m surprised no private sector workers have been on here to support McLean seeing as they take delight in telling us how they have had no pay increase for the last 5 years etc, lucky to have a job, blah, blah.
P.S – 14. Adrian, I think you make a very valid point about the phrase ‘pay rise’. A rise implies an increased standard of living yet even in the States the ‘pay rise’ barely keeps pace with a corresponding rise in the cost of living.
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I know that this is not going to be a popular message: Face it Jersey is an expensive place to live. I for one hope (yes you heard me) that costs rise and we get a sustained period of emmigration. The island is far too crowded and I would appreciate a bit more space.
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#26
If you get your way, it will be the lower paid doing the most unattractive jobs that leave simply because they can no longer afford to live here.
Who pray tell will then do those jobs (many of which will be essential services) or are you advocating more cheap third world labour?
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Sorry, #28 not #26!
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So, Are the States going to set an example by freezing politician’s salaries and freezing the salaries of all states employees and employees of the various states-owned companies and quangos when the current pay agreements expire?
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To the Clown I think you need to do some research the JEC did reduce prices this year and will hold them till the end of the year credit wear it is due. As for the rest yes you are right all jumped on the bandwagon ASAP to increase profits the bunch of incompetents and playboys in the States of Jersey being being the worst.
The problem is we all moan but on election day nobody is bothered to vote I know it’s an undemocratic system being made even more so, and it’s nigh on impossible to create change useing the ballot box. But other than taking the example from overseas and using insurrection to remove them all in one fell stroke, then put them trees outside! to good use before they cut them all down in support of their developer friends.
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JT good to see someone has twigged the fact that a payrise occurs when you get more than the cost of living.
It appears there are too many nodding donkeys who can’t tell the difference. They will probably be voting the usual back in to carry on destroying the island.
Big business and the rich are well looked after and insulated from the worst of the recession by states policies. The peasants as blade calls the rest can go whistle.
Steve at some point if this slide in living standards for the vast majority is not arrested then it will increase the chances of a “let them eat cake” incident.
From what I can see the groundswell of discontent is rising…..things like GST and the breaking of retirement promises made to workers etc, etc is not going down well.
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Leonr2zzz. Exactly right – although I think you are wrong re the essential services (by which I am assuming you mean education, health & law enforcement?). Think of all the social benefits that will come by getting rid of the a swathe of the great unwashed that has washed ashore in recent years. Less crime, improvement in educational standards, less drain on healthcare (they tend to be sicker more often)etc etc
Plus it stops the local yokels complaining about the poles and portugese taking their jobs. They will have to put their money where their mouths are and actually do a days work.
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Well Mr M will you spend the rainy day fund to fuel the economy but not on your employees. Will you fuel the economy by spending the rainy day fund on your pet projects?
Let those who want to develop St Helier like those with the Odeon and Brewery projects spend to fuel the economy whilst you fuel the economy by keeping wages in line with inflation.
The problem is raising GST will raise inflation and you will lose the revenue you make in paying wages to keep up with GST. So you are right we cant have a raise to keep up with inflation as you are creating the inflation to raise revenue. Ah just say it like it is “we need to take your money to keep spending”.
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#31
Employees of one states owned company hav’nt had a pay rise since 2008 only there directors did to the tune of 40 thousand pounds each in bonus even though according to them there not making money. up the post office.
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#35 What do you do about the great unwashed locals though? No doubt you think the UK should just take them, no questions asked!
If you are not local then to live in Jersey you either have to be highly educated, highly skilled, willing to entirely give up your life and work all the hours that God sends, or have someone willing to pay for you to live here.
If you’re working all the hours that God sends then it’s because a local isn’t willing to I guess. If you’re highly educated or highly skilled then your job is probably of benefit to the island. The only great unwashed amongst that lot would be those who join family members but just sit and get drunk all day while their family members keep them. I’d think they’re in the minority.
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What arrogance, and from a man who by the sounds of it is loaded. Get in the real world. Most of us are struggling like mad just to keep our heads above water.
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AMcL’s ludicrous comments also apply to Jersey’s Senior Citizens as their Pensions are linked to Average Earnings which are forecast to increase by around 0.2% this year – (Treasury Minister, JEP, 20th April).
If accurate, this equates to an extra 20pence per week! – and this is not taking into account the increase in GST to 5% from June.
There will be a lot of angry voters around later this year but unfortunately AMcL will be safe as his term runs until 2014.
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@35
Essential services includes those who do the following jobs.
Cleansing services (rubbish, sewers etc.)
Airport and harbour workers
Nurses, teachers, ancilliary staff at the hospital and various medical facilities.
Staff at the electric, gas, waterworks and telecoms companies.
Delivery drivers etc.
Although I no longer live in the island (family reasons, I would quite happily have stayed otherwise), I know many people who work in these sectors all of whom are dissatisfied with their current situation. All of them as you put it are part of the great unwashed and mostly well below the average Jersey wage.
If faced with a mass exodus of such workers, what do you think will happen to the islands general standards of living? Either you are on a wind up mission or you really haven’t thought this through have you!
The island needs it’s workers at all levels as they are the people who make life bearable for everyone in the island regardless of wealth. Make life in the island untenable for them so that they leave and all will suffer.
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Cost of living – 3.1%
GST risen by 2%
Social security payments, – set to rise by another 2%
My income TAX – risen by 2%
Yeah, I can see the logic behind me being better off without a payrise… and we voted this idiot in!
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Leonr2zzz. Read ‘Down and Out in Paris & London’ and then maybe we can engage in a debate.
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I will be giving my staff a 10% pay rise this year they have earned it through increases in profitability.
Public sector employees should be getting a pay decrease – start with the Bailiff, he should only get paid what a UK county court judge does so that would be a 40% decrease.
States employees should be paid the same as Borough council employees in the UK (since they administer the same number of people) and that would be a 50% decrease for the top earners down to a 20% decrease for the lower grades.
Their pensions should also be modernised.
Leading to lower taxes
Tax empty property as if it were rented out and I think you would see rents fall quickly.
Leading to lower rents
Lower rents and lower taxes lead to better standards of living… it is not all about pay rises.
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Talk about cheek! This is the one politician sitting in the States who can speak for an hour and say absolutely nothing! He, like our chief minister, has never had an original thought in his entire life.
Acting as no more that a messenger boy for the Civil Service Gestapo, that has created this mess, this useless suited front with an exaggerated sense of self importance, is under the misguided impression that as a Minister, he should be entitled to a higher rate of remuneration than a regular Deputy.
This minister, like every other waste of money sitting in the States, has done absolutely nothing to reduce States spending or the disgusting size of Government – he and the salary he has been collecting, is an absolute was of public funds – remember this at election time later this year and let’s see what he can do in the private sector – if any one would be so stupid as to hire him
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@43 Given your attitude to “the great unwashed” as you put it, would have thought “Animal Farm” or “1984″ would have been much more to your liking, or are you advocating the life of a “plongeur” and the inability to better ones self as being appropriate for most Jersey residents?
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What! – It is actually this current “Council of Ministers” including McLean that have cost the Island too much – with all the millions that have been lost by their incompetence!
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leon2rzzz. Read the book not wikipedia!
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When will people like this learn
He stands for no common man
A disgrace to Jersey
Totally isolated
A man with no understanding
Completely cut off
Under a blanket of idiocy
No compassion
Totally useless
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Clanger Maclean at it again..how bile making it is to have privileged spitty boys tell the hardworking and honest punters what is and is not good for them….Fat cat attitudes saying the poor should tighten their belts…..hopelessly out of touch…and some of you mugs voted this twerp in.
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God’s Mentor in your argument about the great unwashed you seem to hint that more educated people are less likely to commit crime. I would argue that the truth is they just commit crimes that are sneakier and make it harder for the authorities to catch them, BUT that their crimes are equally detrimental to society. Look at the financial sector for ‘educated’ crimes, it isn’t short of them.
That is aside from the obvious murders, grevious bodily harm etc that well-educated people are just as likely to engage in as people who are not well-educated.
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I think we should only give pay rises to senior civil service managers who are earning over £100,000 pounds per year.
Everyone else should have an indefinite pay freeze except politicians.
GST on food and children’s clothes should be increased by %10 to pay for these pay awards.
In other words let’s carry on more or less as we are. What people have to realise is that there has been a global recession and that Jersey has to balance it’s books in this time of austerity. It’s going to be a difficult time and the population at large will have to tighten their belts.
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Chesney Hawkes, you legend!
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Steve – To the Clown I think you need to do some research the JEC did reduce prices this year and will hold them till the end of the year credit wear it is due.
There isn’t much credit due here as you forgot we had a 40% increase the year before!
Give Senator Maclean some credit – he doesn’t write his own press releases and if it was more than a page long he probably didn’t read it all either. What he has said has probably come as a surprise to him as well!
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