Jamaica: More public sector job losses

Finance and Planning Minister, Dr. Peter Phillips

Fri, September 21, 2012 - 12:20 PM

KINGSTON , Jamaica, Sept. 20, CMC - Finance and Planning Minister, Dr. Peter Phillips has disclosed that the government will be removing more posts from the public sector before the end of this year.

These positions are in addition to just over three positions that will be axed as part of measures to reduce the public sector wage bill.

While unable to state how many additional posts would be involved, Phillips said the process would be done without impairing the functions of the public bodies. He also said the posts to be removed would be those that are not currently filled.

“We have a number working with, but I don’t want to share that number at this point because it is subject to refinement. What we are trying to do is to look at posts that are not now filled, and those that can be dispensed of without impairing the functioning of the bodies,” he stated.

Phillips said the removal of the positions would contribute to an overall reduction in the expenses because these positions are all funded posts.

Meanwhile, the Finance Minister said public sector unions will have to limit their expectations as they prepare to negotiate a new wage and fringe benefits package for the 2012-2014-contract period.

At Wednesday’s weekly post cabinet press briefing, Phillips did not say if the government would be insisting on a wage freeze.

Earlier this year several unions decided earlier to forego an increase for the 2010-2012 period but they were adamant that the situation will have to be different for the next contract period.