INSIDE GRENADA JANUARY 05, 2008 By Wallace J.A The Ministry of Finance, on Wednesday of this week, paid out EC$1 112 000.00 (one million one hundred and twelve thousand dollars) to police officers as back-pay for the year 2006. The Grenadian Government, based on an agreement that was negotiated and signed with the police union last year, had undertaken to make the back-pay available to police officers by the end of 2007. Back in November 2007, the salaries of the lawmen were adjusted to reflect the negotiated salary increases. Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell, who is also Minister of Finance, spoke to the press about the payments made to the police officers and said that he was elated that Government was able to honor its commitments and he hoped that the Government’s negotiating team can conclude negotiations with other unions representing public workers in the very near future. He said “…I know that workers are anxiously awaiting the conclusion of these agreements so that they can benefit. I am also fully aware that with the global rise in cost of living, Governments must be able to do what they can within the context of limited resources, to offer some assistance to workers.” The Grenada Government has also paid EC$1 749 000.00 (one million seven hundred and forty-nine thousand dollars) to teachers, representing incentive allowances for 2004 to 2005 and seniority allowance for 2006. Government had promised to try to meet these payments by December 31 of last year once the money was available.