JCTU wants quicker delivery of housing solutions for public servants

By Kimone Witter    

 

The Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU) is calling for closer collaboration among government ministries and state agencies to speed up the process for the handover of houses to public servants under a joint venture agreement.

 

Under the 1992 agreement with the Jamaica Civil Service Association, which falls under the JCTU, the government at the time pledged 20 acres of land per parish at affordable rates for workers.

 

This came out of wage negotiations after the government was unable to increase the salaries of civil servants.

 

The first housing development, Unions Estate in Twickenham Park, St. Catherine, was completed in 2007.

 

Addressing the handover of 144 units at Union Acres, Irwin, St. James on Wednesday, JCTU President St. Patrice Ennis lamented that 32 years after the joint venture agreement, the development was only the second delivered under the arrangement.

 

"The slow progress is of concern to us, as it shows that we are not moving with the alacrity needed to keep in step with the original spirit of the agreement. That is to bring affordable solutions to the workers of Jamaica," he complained. 

 

Mr. Ennis acknowledged that several challenges have hindered the process, not least of which, he said, is a high cost of developing some of the pledged lands. 

 

"We would also like to encourage closer collaboration from the state agencies such as NLA (National Land Agency), Ministry of Housing, Local Government authorities to somehow speed up this process. But despite these challenges, today is a day of celebration, a testament to the enduring partnership between the government, National Housing Trust and the trade unions," he said.  

 

Mr. Ennis noted that based on discussions with the current administration, the completion of remaining developments could be accelerated. 

 

"This is something that we intend to pursue quite vigorously with the government, and I know from the commitment from the government thus far, and the NHT, I believe this is something that we will realise much sooner and swifter in the future."