Finance Minister Dr. Nigel Clarke
.png)
00:00
00:00
00:00
Dr. Nigel Clarke
By Clinton McGregor
Despite growing unrest among public sector groups concerning the new pay scales under the compensation review programme, Finance Minister Dr. Nigel Clarke has defended the implementation process.
Several public sector groups have been threatening strike action over the new pay scales, with some arguing that they are worse off under the new programme.
Workers attached to the Registrar General's Department stayed off the job for a second day on Tuesday to show their dissatisfaction with the salary alignment under the programme.
But speaking in the House of Representatives Tuesday afternoon, Dr. Clarke argued that only a small group of government employees has been negatively affected by the exercise.
He maintained that the government has been courageous in seeking to address a longstanding structural problem as it relates to wages in Jamaica.
The issue, he said, requires "painstaking" engagement across 140 public bodies, and the government's push to get this done in less than six months is "an arduous undertaking that we are committed to".
Still, Dr. Clarke touted the implementation of the wage scheme as successful, noting that out of the 140 public bodies, only "a few" have issues.
But Opposition Spokesman on Finance Julian Robinson contended that the failure of the Finance Ministry to adequately address the concerns is fuelling unrest among government-paid workers.
He cited the RGD protest, arguing that members of the public are being inconvenienced due to the unrest.
Mr. Robinson said complaints from restive workers include that correspondence to the ministry are either not being answered or are not being answered in a timely fashion.
He urged the Finance Minister to "ensure that there is adequate and timely communication with the various groupings" even as the ministry tries to conclude the compensation review programme by the end of March.
Mr. Robinson was also speaking in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
All feeds
