Jamaica advised to cut wage bill

Former minister without portfolio in the finance ministry Don Wehby has revealed that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has suggested that the public sector wage bill be cut.



Mr Wehby, who has now returned to the private sector, was the Government’s point man in the exploratory discussions on a return to the IMF.



Jamaica will be seeking US$1.2 billion in balance of payment support from the fund.



According to Mr. Wehby based on the IMF’s suggestion the wage bill should be cut by about $15 billion.



The government has not spoken much about the possible conditionalities of the IMF loan.



The Prime Minister Bruce Golding has only said Jamaica would be imposing its own conditions, as it gets ready to return to the IMF.