Concern Over New Public Sector Compensation System

Delays in December salary payments and confusion over the calculation of allowances and arrears on payslips have led to anxiety among public sector workers across a number of Government Agencies, Ministries, and Departments.

Earlier today, Minister of Finance Dr Nigel Clarke held a media briefing, providing an update and explanation on the complexities and progress of the payments. At the time of the press conference, the Minister of Finance Informed that payments had already been disbursed to 47 of the 52 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of Central Government, leaving 5 outstanding. Bellevue Hospital, the Houses of Parliament, the Administrative Department of the Ministry of Education, the Southern Regional Health Authority, and the Western Regional Health Authority. Four of which were expected to be satisfied on December 21.

However, at news time, an update was not yet available. The Minister had previously described some of the complexities associated with this month’s payment in particular. Dr. Clarke stressed that the existing payment structure is decentralized and has allowed for multiple distinct technologies to calculate salaries, one of which is incapable of calculating the newly required salary adjustments. Watch the full report:

Some Nurses Still Awaiting Payment

Leading up to the Press Conference on public sector compensation delays, an Executive of the Nurses Association of Jamaica says some of their members are yet to receive their pay for this month. She says for those who received payment, it’s still unclear whether they received what was promised.