$49M Independence Day celebrations

Eyebrows are being raised about the $49 million spent on this year's Independence Day celebrations.

The money was used to pay for the street parade and Grand Gala festival which was part of government's plans to celebrate Jamaica's 48^th year of independence.

But there is a view that it was unnecessary spending.

Friday night, Culture Minister, Olivia Grange, revealed that a total of $49 million was used to cover activities to mark this year's Independence Day celebrations. 

Miss Grange said her ministry only had $10 million in its budget and so sought help from the Finance Ministry which committed an additional $20 million.

The CHASE fund provided another 1$0 million while the rest was secured from the Tourism Enhancement Fund.

Money well spent – Grange

But responding to concerns that this was unnecessary spending, given the financial restraints gripping the country, Miss Grange said the money was worth it.

“I believe that his money is well spent. It is about social intervention, it is about people who normally don’t earn anything all year, earning an income in the communities by sewing the customs.

“It’s about the youngsters learning the basic movements in dance and it’s about the youngsters life skills and it’s about, more than anything else, showing pride in your country and showcasing the best in Jamaica,” Miss grange said.

Social intervention tool

The Culture Minister added that the Government should direct more resources to the Culture industry, as it's a useful tool for social development.

“Culture is the first to be cut and the last to be funded and I think that planners and Governments should rethink that approach because it’s one of the greatest social intervention tools,” Miss Grange told RJR News.

However, Vincent Morrison, President of the National Workers' Union, says this latest spending by the government shows its poor management of the country's resources.

He says while he supports the Independence Day activities, for months the Government has maintained that it has no money to pay some of its household expenses. 

Pay Govt workers – Morrison

According to Mr. Morrison, the same way money has been found to pay for the independence festivities, the Government needs to find the money to pay public sector workers their outstanding wages.

“The approach and the policy direction of the Government leave much to be desired in sense that public sector workers are owed substantive sums which have been the subject of collective negotiations. We see from time to time the Government have been saying it does not have the money to pay public sector workers they but at the drop of a hat, they have been able to find money for whatever they want to do … following the West Kingston incursion, the Government found more than US$20 million for the (Tourism Ministry) to go overseas to promote Jamaica,” he said.

Govt continues to disrespect workers

Mr. Morrison added that this again shows the Government's disregard for public sector employees.

“We think the policy approach of the Government is nothing short of being disgraceful in that they are disrespecting the workers who are build the economy and the country and this poor policy approach must be stopped,” he said in an interview with RJR News.

Public sector workers are owed billions of dollars in unpaid salary increases and allowances.

Recently, a court ruled in favour of the Island Special Constabulary Force Association which sued the Government for a 7% increase which was due to them since 2007 but has not yet been paid.