All debts are equal, Dr Clarke

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I read with grave trepidation an article published in the September 9, 2024 edition of The Gleaner titled ‘Public sector workers want compensation closure before Clarke’s departure’.

Despite the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU) consistently denying any agreement to cut the payment of increments to public sector workers, the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service has refused to pay this benefit, as well as clear other matters, including discrepancies around travelling.

At the beginning of this compensation restructure programme, we were told that a study was being done to review and compare public sector salaries against private sector counterparts. It gave many workers hope that they would see substantial movement in their salaries.

Unfortunately, only some categories of workers truly benefited – those at the very bottom and those at the top. Certainly, the historic 300 per cent increase given to some, including politicians, is unforgettable. Others like permanent secretaries and school principals smiled all the way to the bank.

Meanwhile, there are others, particularly the workhorse professionals in the middle, who barely saw movement in their salaries with a total 20 per cent increase spread over three years, in most cases. These workers have been left to make the painful adjustment to not being justly rewarded for hard work through the payment of increments.

PARTING GIFT

Dr Nigel Clarke, minister of finance, justified the massive increases offered to politicians as an attempt to attract “the brightest and best” in politics. However, come October 2024, he is set to take up a new position as deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund. That is a personal decision that he made to advance himself, and one that some “bright” public sector workers may be contemplating as we speak, adding to Jamaica’s brain drain.

It would be good if Dr Clarke were to deliver a parting gift to Jamaica’s public sector workers so that they may not opt to walk in his footsteps. Jamaica needs bright people to continue his wonderful work. Do not let them beg or fight for closure.

Dr Clarke has received acclamation for his debt management strategies. The same energy may be applied to clearing debts like the payment of increments to public sector workers who have not been paid these sums in the last couple of years. It would certainly leave an indelible mark.

After all, all debts are equal.

ELIZABETH LEWIS