fp Turks and Caicos

More government workers than expected asked for cash to leave their jobs, but it is still not known how many of those who applied will get it, said government CEO Patrick Boyle.

About 700 employees — more than one third of all 2,200 government workers — asked for quotes on how much they would receive, and about 500 of those decided to accept it. They were split about equally among salaried and weekly paid employees, but applications are still being received and considered.

To date, 72 salaried staff left in February, with another 150 being processed to leave before the end of March. They received payouts ranging from $13,000 to $94,000.

Although government is offering installment payments instead of lump sums, no one has asked for installments, Boyle said.

Twenty applications were denied so far because permanent secretaries decided that those employees are necessary to continue levels of service. Boyle said those included people with specialized skills and those in small offices that could not function without them.

People who were turned down are protected for a year from being forced to lose their jobs, but Boyle said he didn’t believe many more would lose jobs because of the number who applied.

The budget for severance packages is $6.8 million, but the level of acceptance could increase that cost, Boyle said.

The severance packages are based on wages before a 10-percent pay cut all workers took in April 2010. Workers who accept the package will be barred from return to employment in government and statutory bodies for four years.

The interim government is offering voluntary severance as part of a larger effort to reform the civil service to reduce costs and increase efficiency.