“Fiso is an insult to police officers”

The Surinamese Police Union (SPB) on Thursday made it clear that it wants a separate wage system for police officers. The police officers who attended Thursday’s union meeting gave the union 3 weeks to exit the government’s Function Information System. There was a huge turnout at the noisy union meeting. Union officials made it clear that Fiso is an insult to police officers.

“Even a security guard earns more than the police,” union officials told reporters after the union meeting. The police union on Friday informed the government of the union members’ decision regarding Fiso. The SPB has already made a list of wishes. The salary adjustment which is deemed the most important aspect of the wish package can only take place if the police force exits Fiso. The SPB is determined to stick to this demand. “It is more than realistic. Two resolutions must be signed. We, the union officials, are willing to do it together with the government. It must be possible within two weeks but we will aim at 3 weeks,” said union chairman Raoul Hellings. The lowest salary at the police is reportedly still below the minimum wage. According to union officials, it is even below the minimum wage of a security guard namely SRD 1,312 gross. A police officer with the lowest rank currently earns SRD 1,000 net. Raoul Hellings made it clear that the union officials are willing to help the government put together a separate wage system for the police. On August 16 the union will hold another general members’ meeting. Revelino Eijck, spokesman of the SPB, made it clear that the 3 weeks are not an ultimatum to the government. He explained that “it is the ultimatum that was given to the union by the union members. In other words the union must report back to the union members after 3 weeks. The wish package also includes demands for new clothes, shoes, work material and facilities. These things are not part of the future wage system.

Eijck pointed out that the union on Thursday morning met with VP Ashwin Adhin and the presidential commission led by Jules Wijdenbosch. He also pointed out that the government offered the union a 25% raise for the police. The union rejected the offer. “We have noticed that a 25% is a step back.” The union explained that Fiso was imposed on the police and that they no longer want it.