As confusion continues to surround the reason for public sector workers’ dissatisfaction with wage payments for December, union representatives sought to clarify the issues. While some had a problem with late payment of early Christmas salaries, others did not agree to the compensation packages. These include the core public sector workers, such as teachers, doctors, police, and correctional services.
General Secretary of the Union of Clerical, Administrative and Supervisory Employees (UCASE), John Levy says whatever issue affected them was not related to the public sector compensation review. But President of the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Union, Helene Davis White says each worker was converted to the latest payout system based on their particular circumstance. Adding, having to convert from one pay structure to a new one affected the speed of delivering pays.
Levy says his challenge was that the Ministry of Finance promised to complete the payout exercise with the Central Government by August, after which they would start engaging with the public bodies. Both union reps acknowledge the efforts of the payroll officers in the public sector for those workers who have been paid.
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Reporter: Nasika Alliman
