IMF repeats call for faster public sector reform

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reiterated its call for the Andrew Holness administration to speed up public sector reform as part of structural reform to build resilience and speed up growth.

“Concluding the ongoing wage negotiations is necessary for budget certainty. More generally, fiscal sustainability requires a continued reduction in the public wage bill, particularly as the government rethinks its role, responsibilities, and size of its workforce. 

“Overhauling the pay structure and reviewing the complex system of allowances are vital foundations to a modern public sector that can attract and retain talent,” said the Executive Board of the IMF after it completed the second review of Jamaica’s performance under the economic program supported by the Stand-By Arrangement (SBA).

“In addition, a smaller public sector remains essential to create space for much-needed spending on health, education, social safety nets, public safety, and growth-enhancing capital projects,” the Fund said. 

The 36-month SBA provides the Government with a total access of approximately US$1.68 billion, equivalent of 312 per cent of Jamaica’s quota in the IMF.

The IMF noted that the Jamaican authorities continue to view the SBA as precautionary, and to use it as an insurance policy against unforeseen external economic shocks that could lead to a balance of payments need. 

Tao Zhang deputy managing director and acting chair of the IMF said the Jamaican authorities’ commitment to their Fund-supported program remains strong more than four years after embarking on difficult economic reforms. 

He said program performance is on track and macroeconomic stability is entrenched, with stronger fiscal and external positions, subdued inflation, and employment at historic highs. 

“Nevertheless, vulnerability to weather-related shocks continues to pose important challenges to Jamaica’s growth performance. Against this backdrop, supply-side reforms, including enhancing resilience to weather swings, must be accelerated to deliver better growth and job outcomes, reduce poverty, and improve living standards, while sustaining macroeconomic stability.

“The authorities recognise that reforms to the Bank of Jamaica Act, further enhancing the monetary policy toolkit, improving communications, and strengthening the central bank’s balance sheet are essential for moving toward inflation targeting. To this end, the authorities are committed to maintaining exchange rate flexibility and limiting foreign exchange interventions to smoothing excessive volatility,” said the IMF executive.

He added:  “Implementation of the resolution framework for financial institutions is critical for strengthening the financial sector’s resilience. Any changes to investment and foreign exchange limits of non-bank institutions should first carefully analyse growth and stability trade-offs and ensure that adequate supervisory capacity is in place. 

“Structural reforms are critical to support a dynamic private sector that creates jobs. In this regard, efforts should be accelerated to divest underutilised public assets, upgrade procurement procedures, ease the development approval process, and foster financial inclusion.”