Gov't stands firm against wage payout
Published:Thursday | August 12, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Public-sector workers would be well advised to avoid running out and making new spending plans, despite a recent court ruling ordering the Government to pay members of the Island Special Constabulary Force (ISCF) outstanding wages and fringe benefits.
Yesterday, the Government declared the ruling made no impact on its stance that it would not pay $8 billion in outstanding public sector wages and fringe benefits any time soon.
"What the court has said is very much in line with what the Government's position is," Finance Minister Audley Shaw told journalists during yesterday's post-Cabinet media briefing at Jamaica House. "We have never resiled from stating publicly and acknowledging the debt."
He added: "What we have not been able to say is when we will pay it, and we cannot pay within this fiscal year."
The finance minister announced plans to meet with the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions to stress the Government's unchanged stance.
"The Government's position remains the same. We do not have the money," Shaw said.
He warned that if the unions take a position that the money must be paid and the parties cannot reach an agreement, the Government could be forced to cut staff to accommodate the payment.
Disrespectful approach
Just over one week ago, Justice Roy Anderson labelled as disrespectful or indifferent the Government's approach in refusing to pay outstanding amounts due to members of the ISCF.
In a 41-page ruling with implication for the entire public sector, Anderson ordered the Government to honour its agreement to pay the policemen and women the seven per cent increase due in the second year of the 2008-2010 wage period.
The Island Special Constabulary Force Association (ISCFA) had taken the Government to court after the Golding administration said it was unable to pay increases due to public-sector workers as a result of the adverse economic climate.
Anderson granted the declaration which the ISCFA was seeking, that the heads of agreement entered into with the Government on October 3, 2008 for the contract period April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2010 was binding.
The ruling was welcomed by other public-sector groups, which demanded a speedy payment.