Stipend for tourism workers could be increased

(CMR) The request for an increased monthly stipend by tourism workers who are currently out of a job could be granted.

Finance Minister Roy McTaggart said Government is considering increasing the stipend from $1000 per month.

However, he said a formal decision on the increase or the amount was not yet made.

“We have received a lot of representation over the Christmas Holidays with regards to the level of stipend,” McTaggart said on a recent talk show.

With the continued closures of the country's borders, over 2000 tourism workers have been out of a job.

Deputy Premier Moses Kirkconnell announced last month that the Government would have extended the tourism stipend program for another six months – from January to June 2021.

He said the extended program would likely cost the Government around $18 million.

The initial program began in July and was to run for three months; however, it was later extended to six months.

Since last year, the Government has spent over $15.6 million on stipends for displaced tourism workers.