Finance Ministry trying to source civil servants retro money

The Ministry of Finance says it will continue to assess its existing resources to identify any possible way to make an earlier payment of retroactive travelling allowances to public sector workers.

The ministry gave the assurance after upset workers and their union, the Jamaica Civil Service Association, yesterday staged a protest demanding the payment.

The workers disagree with the move by the government to push back the date of the payment to the first quarter of 2016/2017 financial year.

They have demanded that the money be paid this year.

The finance ministry notes that the payments agreed to with public sector workers under the new wage agreement are being scheduled with due consideration to the national Budget.

It points out that this factor is behind the decision to settle arrears on travelling allowances in the next financial year.

The ministry is appealing to workers for their continued cooperation as it works toward honouring all commitments agreed to for the new 2015-17 contract period.