GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands (CMC) — The Premier of the Cayman Islands, Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, announced on Friday that public sector employees can look forward to a US$2,000 (J$314,000) Christmas bonus.

Speaking on a local radio station, O’Connor-Connolly said the government is in a position to make the one-time payment.

The bonuses are estimated to add approximately $9.7 million to the country’s budget. Additionally, a five per cent cost-of-living allowance will be introduced in the New Year to ensure a minimum wage of US$3,000 per month for civil servants.

The premier also noted that pensioners will receive a bonus, stating, “Santa Claus will not skip them over,” adding that there will be “something in their chimneys.”

The bonus will extend to public sector employees in statutory authorities and government companies; however, the premier indicated that these organisations will need to allocate the funds from their own budgets.

She confirmed that the broader payout of $10 million will be drawn from the existing government operating budget and will not require extra funding.