CWI announces temporary 50 per cent reduction in salaries, funding effective from July  

Cricket West Indies on Friday (May 29) announced a temporary reduction of 50 per cent from the salaries and the funding, across the entire regional system which will be effective from July. The decision comes in after a teleconference on Thursday (May 28) where the Board of Directors received recommendations from the Financial Strategy Advisory Committee (FSAC) and saw it as a necessary move in the face of financial crunch that the board is facing during the COVID-19 pandemic.



The FSAC was formed in April by CWI president Ricky Skerritt, to make recommendations on how CWI could best manage its resources in order to continue its core business over the next few months in close consultation with all stakeholders.



It is uncertain of when regular cricket will resume and with no international matches or series being played at this time, CWI – like several bodies worldwide – is facing a significant loss of income. CWI’s decision will deliver at least a minimum level of job protection for all of the people employed or contracted throughout the region’s cricket community.



“Cricket is the beating heart of our region for many individuals, communities, and economies. This pandemic is hurting every West Indian and this decision to cut staff and player incomes has been a very difficult one to make; one that will impact so many members of the cricketing family around the Caribbean,” Skerritt said.



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“This business continuity plan, unfortunately, requires all stakeholders to make a huge sacrifice, but I am confident that it won’t be long before CWI will be in a position to ensure that the sport we love can restart and be enjoyed once again by the thousands of cricket fans across the region and diaspora,” he added.



The board has kept its staff, players, coaches on full-pay since the outbreak of COVID-19 and has tried its best to avoid any cuts for as long as possible. It hopes that the temporary reduction will not be more than three-six months. These measures will also include a 50 percent reduction in funding for Territorial Boards, Territorial Board Franchises and WIPA, as well as a 50 percent cut in all retainers and allowances for Directors and Executive management.



“The effects of this pandemic have been distressing for everyone – the worst crisis of our lifetime – and at present, we cannot be certain when the situation will be rectified. We recognize that this will cause financial pain for all and we have no choice but to take decisive action from next month onwards,” CWI CEO Jonny Grave said.



“CWI’s greatest asset is our people and players and everyone sharing equally in the temporary reduction, we believe is the best way for us to ensure we get through this crisis and protect our organisation and all the jobs in the system. We will be reviewing the situation regularly with the hope that we can return to normal operations at the earliest opportunity.”