Junior Minister for Finance and Planning, Fitz Jackson, has confirmed the Police Federation's report that agreement has been reached on their wage claim for the rank-and-file members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

General secretary of the Police Federation, Corporal Hartley Stewart, said that the increase was similar to the 22 per cent over two years, agreed with junior doctors, adding that further agreement is to be reached on allowances.

"Yes, prolonged is an understatement," said Mr. Jackson of the negotiations. "It has been intense; it has been quite speedy this time around when you consider that we have only been negotiating since April."

He declined to confirm a figure, but said that the finer details of the agreement would be discussed at another meeting between both parties on Monday.

A week ago, rank-and-file police personnel went on a three-day sick-out to force Government to reach agreement after Mr. Jackson branded police negotiators' skills "impractical, immature and an insult to people's intelligence."

The strike was only ended following the intervention of Minister of National Security, Dr. Peter Phillips.

The Government had refused to improve on its 17.5 per cent wage offer over the next two years while the police wanted 75 per cent.