Eligible public officials urged to submit statutory declarations by March 31

The Integrity Commission (IC) is urging eligible public officials to submit statutory declarations of their assets, liabilities, and income on or before March 31, 2024.

The prescribed threshold for public officials required to submit a statutory declaration was increased from $3.5 million to $12 million, following approval of the Integrity Commission (Total Annual Emoluments Exempt from Statutory Declaration Requirements) Order, 2023, which was passed by the House.

Resolution for the new threshold was moved by Minister of Justice Delroy Chuck in the Lower House on December 18, 2023.

The increase was recommended by the IC in September, citing the anticipated rise in declarations due to the increased salaries of workers under the public-sector compensation review.

In a release issued to the media, the commission said that despite the increase in the prescribed threshold, public officials who occupy certain positions or perform certain functions would still be required to file statutory declarations.

Further, the release stated that there are new filing requirements for Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) officers as listed in the 2023 Gazette of Positions to File Statutory Declarations.

“Public officials are being asked to pay close attention to the 2023 Gazette of Positions to File Statutory Declarations as at December 31, 2023, to determine whether they are eligible to file a statutory declaration by March 31, 2024,” the release says.

The 2023 Gazette of Positions will be sent to all public bodies by January 10, 2024, and can also be accessed at www.integrity.gov.jm.

The commission will review the Gazette of Positions annually “with a view to being more precise with the selection of positions”.

In the meantime, the commission is reminding all public officials with outstanding statutory declarations for the periods ended December 31, 2018, to December 31, 2023, to file them by March 31.

The IC is an anti-corruption body that functions under the Integrity Commission Act.

JIS