August 24, 2022

PM Announces Special Payment For Covid-19 Healthcare Workers

By Newsroom

As a show of gratitude to healthcare workers who stood on the frontline during the Covid-19 pandemic, the government will issue a separate and special payment.

Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley says he will give the instruction to Finance Minister Colm Imbert, to allocate the funds in the 2023 budget presentation. 

The Prime Minister made the announcement as he delivered the feature address at PNM meeting in Belmont.

“And it is not to say we do not recognize what other people have done. But those who walked the extra mile and had the extra exposure- it is on that basis alone. And they rose to the occasion. Our health service was there for all of Trinidad and Tobago and we must be a grateful people!” said the PM, who personally contracted Covid-19 on two occasions since the start of the pandemic.

Saying the payment was possible because the country could afford it, PM Rowley responded in advance to those who would criticize the move.

“I expect to hear objections to that you know…and “me too”. All I will say to that is I hear you and I understand you… but you were not there, doing what they had done. And you can make your objection now because you’re alive. Many people in our country did not make it,” the PM said.

Though he didn’t say what the value of the payment would be, the PM said “We’re going to do it as we can afford to.”

Share