Public sector workers want compensation closure before Clarke’s departure
Published:Monday | September 9, 2024 | 12:10 AMEdmond Campbell/Senior Staff Reporter
There is growing disquiet among an increasing number of public sector workers over continued delays, which are being blamed on the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, in bringing closure to lingering issues under the compensation review exercise.
The Gleaner understands that the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU) and technocrats from the finance ministry met on August 30 to conclude talks on the wording of an agreement to settle outstanding matters.
However, a source close to the discussions informed The Gleaner that the unions were left astounded when they received correspondence from the finance ministry that varied from the wording of the agreement that both parties had accepted at the August 30 meeting.
The source said that one important item the parties had agreed to was slated to take effect on August 1, 2024. However, the draft document from the finance ministry had the effective date as October 1, 2024.
Sources among the unions are of the view that the Government was not conducting itself in good faith.
Less than two weeks ago, the JCTU sought a meeting with Finance and the Public Service Minister Dr Nigel Clarke after it was revealed that he would demit office in October.
Clarke will take up the position of deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund effective October 31 this year.
Since Clarke announced his pending departure, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said he has identified a replacement for the finance minister.
The unions had expressed concern about lingering compensation issues and signalled that they wanted to complete those talks with Clarke before his departure.
The unions and the Ministry of Finance had failed, previously, to iron out their differences in relation to the payment of increments to public sector workers.
The unions said earlier that there was agreement on most items except for the payment of increment for the period 2022 to 2025. The JCTU had also called for the withdrawal of circular Number 28 regarding travelling.
Public sector workers in central government, who are appointed, are eligible for increments once they perform satisfactorily or achieve additional qualification.