St Kitts/Nevis Govt denies increase in per diem to ministers

Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew has publicly refuted the claims, labeling them as “misinformation” and “political mischief.”

During a session of the House, Prime Minister Drew stated that the per diem rates have not been adjusted since 2008. He emphasized, “The per diem that I get is the same per diem that has been in place since 2008.

It has not even been adjusted for inflation and increasing cost.” He urged the public to “refrain from lying, to refrain from giving people misinformation for some sort of political advantage.”

A statement from the government’s Ministry of Finance confirmed that the “Travel Per Diem Policy for Government Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and other public officers” remains unchanged. This policy, established in 2008, continues to govern all official travel expenditures.

The clarification was issued to address persistent false claims circulating in the public domain, including a “categorically false claim that ministers receive US$1,000 daily.”

According to the 2008 policy, the per diem rates are as follows:
Ministers of Government: Receive a fixed allowance of EC$100 per day for travel within the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and US$100 per day for travel outside the OECS. (Note: One EC dollar is equivalent to US$0.37).

Permanent Secretaries and Ambassadors: Receive EC$350 per day for CARICOM travel and EC$425 per day for non-CARICOM travel.
Other Civil Servants: Receive EC$300 per day for CARICOM travel and EC$350 per day for non-CARICOM travel.

The policy also includes provisions for reduced rates on trips exceeding 14 days and prohibits per diem payments for fully sponsored travel. The government noted that such misinformation “erodes trust and distorts factual discourse.”

It also reminded the public that they can utilize the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act, 2024 to access public records and seek independent oversight from the Information Commissioner.