ST JOHN’S – Cricket West Indies (CWI) on Friday announced a temporary 50 per cent reduction in salaries and cricket funding across the entire regional cricket system, effective from the start of July.
In a release, the board said the decision was necessary in the face of debilitating economic challenges resulting from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The CWI stated that with no international cricket currently being played anywhere in the world, and with great uncertainty over when regular cricket activity will resume, CWI was facing a significant loss of income, whilst also being uncertain of the long-term impact of the crisis on operations.
“It is in that context that CWI’s board of directors, with deep regret, have agreed to a plan that we expect will safeguard CWI’s future while delivering at least a minimum level of job protection for all of the people employed or contracted throughout the region’s cricket community,” the release stated.
It added that CWI had kept staff, players, umpires and coaches on full-pay since the outbreak of COVID-19 and tried its best to avoid any cuts for as long as possible.
CWI said it hoped that these temporary measures would only be in place for not more than three to six months.
These measures include a 50 per cent reduction in funding for territorial boards, territorial board franchises and the West Indies Players’ Association, as well as a 50 per cent cut in all retainers and allowances for directors and executive management.
At a teleconference on Thursday, the board of directors received recommendations from the Financial Strategy Advisory Committee (FSAC), which was formed in April by president Ricky Skerritt.
“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.
CWI CEO Johnny Grave said the salary cuts could not be avoided.
“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 recognise that this will cause financial pain for all our staff, players, coaches and umpires across the Caribbean, but having kept everyone on full pay since the outbreak in March, we have no choice but to take decisive action from next month onwards,” he said.
“We will be reviewing the situation regularly with the hope that we can return to normal operations at the earliest opportunity.” (PR)
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