Update: Gov't, unions meet to discuss public sector wage

Jamaican Government officials and trade unions, representing public sector workers, met today to discuss a new course on public sector wage negotiations.



Minister with responsibility for the public service, Arthur Williams, has advised that discussions regarding the treatment of public sector wage issues over the medium term are continuing with the leaders of the Confederation of Trade Unions, nurses, doctors, teachers and the police groups.



The parties met today with the Public Sector Monitoring Committee. Williams chaired the meeting.



Williams said, arising out of today’s meeting, a number of proposals have been put on the table by both the Government and Union leaders.



He said the parties have agreed to continue discussions in earnest, to arrive at understandings by October 28.



The talks are critical as Jamaica tries to meet its obligations under the standby loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and as some public sector unions submit wage claims for the 2010-2012 period.



Under the IMF agreement, Jamaica has committed to bring down the public sector wage bill to nine per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).



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