Finance Minister Dr. Nigel Clarke
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Dr. Nigel Clarke
By Lorraine Mendez
Members of the judiciary are to get a wage increase retroactive to the 2021/22 fiscal year.
Tabling a resolution in the House of Representatives on Tuesday afternoon, Finance Minister Dr. Nigel Clarke said the proposed increases over a three-year period will cost the country $1.877 billion, to be accounted for in this fiscal.
The increases were recommended by the Independent Commission of the judiciary that examined compensation for judges.
The proposal is for a six per cent raise in 2021/22, a departure from the commission's recommendation. The government says it will accept the commission's recommendation for the 2022/23 and 2023/24 fiscal years which see a doubling of the salaries for members of the judiciary in the second year.
"The Commission has recommended that all allowances, with the exception of housing and security, be rolled into basic salary with effect April 1st, 2022, which is the second year in the three-year period," Dr. Clarke announced.
The Finance Minister said a number of factors were taken into consideration in arriving at a decision on wage increase, including the demand for judges in other jurisdictions in the Caribbean and the limitation that restricts judges from practicing after leaving the bench.
Dr. Clarke said Jamaica needs an independent judiciary if it is to achieve its development objectives.
With the wage increase, he said members of the judiciary will "finally be able to enjoy the kind of remuneration...that is commensurate with the nature and prestige of the job".
According to Justice Minister Delroy Chuck, the commission, in arriving at its decision, examined compensation for judges across several jurisdictions, including the Caribbean. He said the new salaries will make Jamaican judges one of the best paid in the Caribbean.
The proposed increases were also endorsed by the parliamentary opposition.
Salaries for judges are to be reviewed by the Independent Commission of the judiciary every three years. The last review was completed in 2020.
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