Transportation To Be Provided For The Police

Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips, has made a commitment to provide the Ministry of National Security with resources, within this calendar year, to be used for the provision of transportation for members of the police force, particularly those who must travel home at night.

The commitment was given during a ceremony for the signing of a Heads of Agreement between the Government and the Jamaica Police Federation, representing the over 11,000 rank and file members of the force.

“A date has not been included in the contract, but I am giving my word publicly that we will do this,” the Minister said.

The signing was conducted at the Ministry of Finance and Planning’s head office on Monday, November 10.

Approximately 95 per cent of public sector groups have now signed wage contracts for the 2015 to 2017 period.

The police are to receive a seven per cent salary increase, with four per cent in the first year and the remaining three per cent in year two.

In addition, the Government has agreed to increase the housing allowance for the officers and has also made provision for the identification of lands for housing  development. There is also provision made for payment for holiday hours worked.

Dr. Phillips said that while the negotiations were tough, they were conducted in the interest of the Jamaican people.

What is significant is that the negotiations were approached on the basis that each side is going to do its best in the interest of Jamaica, while (also) protecting to the utmost, the interest of their particular work group,” he noted.

The Minister said the Government has also committed to paying all retroactive amounts for the April to November period to the police in the December pay cycle.

“We want to do that as an indication of good faith with the Police Federation for the efforts that they have made. This will really bring some stability to the national situation and will give even further impetus for us to realise the benefits of the Economic Reform Programme upon which the country is embarked,” Dr. Phillips said.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Jamaica Police Federation, Sgt. Raymond Wilson, expressed thanks to the Ministers involved. He said the Federation’s efforts  are in recognition of the peculiar nature of the job that police officers do and the hardships they face in performing their duties.

“All we are seeking is to motivate those internal clients, so they can in turn give quality service,” he said.

Newly appointed Minister of Health, Hon. Horace Dalley, who still maintain subject responsibility for Public Service in the Finance and Planning Ministry, said he is happy for the conclusion of the negotiations, noting that money has been provided to fulfil all obligations within the contract.

“We do this for Jamaica, we do this for our people…anything we can do to enhance the betterment of our people in any way, that is what we are about,” he said.

Minister of National Security, Hon. Peter Bunting, also expressed appreciation for the amicable conclusion of the negotiations.