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Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bisses­sar says the Chief Personnel Offi­cer (CPO) is an independent office and her Government cannot dictate how Public Services Association (PSA) members are to be paid their salary increases and backpay.

However, she assured yesterday that an initial cash payment will be made to thousands of public officers before Christmas, while the PSA and CPO Dr Daryl Dindial continue negotiations on the rollout of other payments owed.

In a statement to Parliament yesterday, the Prime Minister said her Government will find the resources to honour the 10% salary increase and backpay owed to PSA members.