Prime Minister Bruce Golding told Parliament yesterday that the decision to extend the freeze on public-sector wages was a result of the Government's fiscal pro-gramme with the International Monetary Fund.

"There is going to be no space in the fiscal programme in the next two years for any wage increases," Golding said.

No more at this time

Noting that the public-sector wage bill now stands at $136 billion when travelling and subsistence are added to salaries, Golding said the country cannot afford to pay more at this time.

"We increasd the public-sector wage bill from the time that we have been here from $84 billion to $125 billion. That is a 50 per cent increase but our fiscal situation will not allow any increases over the next two years," Golding added.