90% of Public Sector Employees have now signed Agreements with the GOJ

Kingston, Jamaica: Monday, February 21, 2022

The Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) is the latest public sector unit to ink a new 12-month
Heads of Agreement to accept the Government of Jamaica’s offer of a 4% wage increase for the
financial period April 2021 to March 2022.

32 public sector bargaining units have now accepted the GOJ’s offer, which represents 90% of public sector employees.

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Nigel Clarke, DPhil., MP, during the ceremony
noted, “We are pleased that we are able to reach an accommodation with the Jamaica Teachers’
Association, with the understanding that we are in a pandemic, still emerging from and we plan
in the next fiscal year to begin the implementation of the restructuring of public sector
compensation.”

“Jamaica is one of the few countries, in this region to offer increases in both 2020 and 2021 in
the midst of a pandemic. I remain committed to working with the Jamaica Teachers’ Association.
I pledge to work with you over the upcoming year and the years to follow in the restructuring of
the public sector compensation, in a way that is to the benefit of teachers today and in the
future.” He further explained.

Minister Clarke noted that all payments outstanding to the JTA relating to this agreement will be made before the end of the current fiscal year.

President of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association, Winston Smith is anticipating that the new
compensation review will be in keeping with the economic conditions of the country.
“I want it to be abundantly clear that the teachers of Jamaica have always and will always put the
interest of the country to the forefront of all that we do. Teachers are human beings that must
exist within the economy framework within which a country operates and therefore, Minister [of
Finance] we are expecting that as we move beyond this point that our deliberation, discussions
and of course compensation would be more aligned with what the fiscal realities of the country
are as it relates to our salary and compensation, as it relates to inflation rate and of course the
opportunity of sustainability within the profession.”

The Hon. Nigel Clarke, DPhil., M.P. along with State Minister, the Hon. Marsha Smith,
Financial Secretary, Darlene Morrison, Acting Permanent Secretary of Education, Maureen
Dwyer and representatives from the Jamaica Teachers’ Association were present for the signing
ceremony held at the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service on Monday, February 21, 2022.

For further information contact:
Corporate Communication & Public Relations Branch
Ministry of Finance and the Public Service
30 National Heroes Circle
Kingston 4
Tel: (876) 932-4656/4660/4655
Email: Shelly-Ann.Weeks@mof.gov.jm; Shakiel.Rochester-Shorter@mof.gov.jm