JCSA President Techa Clarke-Griffiths - file photo
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JCSA President Techa Clarke-Griffiths
By Nakinskie Robinson
The Jamaica Civil Service Association (JCSA) is advocating for mental wellness for public sector workers amid a concerning number of stress-induced incidents.
JCSA President Techa Clarke-Griffiths says mental illness as well as occupational safety and health issues have become prevalent across the public sector.
"We recognise that persons have mental health breakdowns and issues relating to either personal, work or [other] stresses. So we think that one of the major items of claims that we need to push for is mental health days for public servants, especially in areas that are highly stressed environment."
She pointed out that a number of public sector workers, including younger members, have been lost to critical illness such as heart attacks, stroke, and even suicide.
The JCSA's effort coincides with ongoing negotiations to resolve salary and increment-related matters affecting members under the government's revised compensation exercise.
Mrs. Clarke-Griffiths said significant progress has been made in relation to outstanding mileage payments from April to November 2022 and satisfactory wage adjustments.
But there are still outstanding items to be addressed, including uniform allowance.
"The category for the uniform, we have four. In categories one and two, there's a reference to support staff and that is where the challenge is because some persons have indicated that they are part of the support staff. Some are saying that they are not in the right category. So we're waiting on the ministry to clarify what support staff means."
In addition, the issue with supervisors getting less than those they supervise, continues.
"They have merged some positions and in merging those positions, the job descriptions have not been adjusted, amended. There are persons who have been promoted and getting less pay. And can I tell you, it is happening there at the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service," said Mrs. Clarke-Griffiths, who was speaking Monday on Radio Jamaica's Hotline.
She said while some mergers have been completed, there have been challenges where people have been removed from the public sector without the union being informed or present during discussions.
Mrs. Griffiths-Clarke said the Association remains committed to working with the finance ministry to resolves the issues.
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