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Gov’t starts wage talks with public sector unions for new contract period

Published:Tuesday | March 11, 2025 | 4:02 PM
Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Fayval Williams, opening the Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on March 11.
Ian Allen
Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Fayval Williams, opening the Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on March 11.

The Government has started wage negotiations with public sector unions for new deals, with Finance Minister Fayval Williams confirming that 11 claims have been received so far.

The current three-year contract period will end on March 31.

Williams gave the update as she delivered her maiden budget presentation in the House of Representatives on Tuesday to open the debate on the budget proposed for the 2025-2026 financial year that starts on April 1.

"The continued engagement of all stakeholders remains key to the maintenance of harmony in the public sector," she said.

She said submissions have been made by major groups such as the Jamaica Civil Service Association, the Jamaica Teachers’ Association, and the Police Officers’ Association.

Among the issues on the table are increased salaries, adjustments to allowances, and improved working conditions for thousands of government employees.

Meanwhile, Williams said compensation for government employees is in the budget at $495.8 billion and includes new rates of pay for medical consultants, dental surgeons, Parish Court judges, and probation/aftercare officers.

There is also an allocation to support the employment of agricultural wardens and $1 billion to support the continuation of the Jamaica National Service Corps.

The government has also set aside a compensation contingency provision of $33 billion to meet the cost of public sector wage settlements including a provision of $3 billion to support the filling of vacant technical positions in regional health authorities.

Williams said while the Government will no longer pursue a cap on wages, there are "controls" on the budget.

She pointed to fiscal balance rules and the country's debt-to-GDP ratio.

The finance minister said focus in the public sector has to shift to pay for performance and improvement in productivity.

- Jovan Johnson

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