Finance Ministry Commences Discussions with Unions and Associations

The Ministry of Finance and the Public Service has, so far, received 11 claims as the Government commences discussions with the Unions/Associations for the new contract period.

Portfolio Minister, Hon. Fayval Williams, made the disclosure as she opened the 2025/26 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (March 11).

The Minister informed that the claims were received from the Jamaica Civil Service Association (JCSA), Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU), Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA), Police Officers’ Association (POA) and groups within the health sector.

“The continued engagement of all stakeholders remains key to the maintenance of harmony in the Public Sector,” Mrs. Williams said.

She further informed that the Government has allocated $495.8 billion for the compensation of government employees, and this includes new rates of pay for Medical Consultants, Dental Surgeons, Parish Court Judges and Probation/Aftercare Officers, as well as to facilitate back pay for Medical Consultants and Parish Court Judges.

The figure also includes an allocation to support the employment of agricultural wardens; $1 billion to support continuation of the Jamaica National Service Corps; and a compensation contingency provision of $33 billion to meet the cost of public-sector wage settlements, including a provision of $3 billion to support the filling of vacant technical positions in Regional Health Authorities.