MEMBERS of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) may be forced to take vacation leave beyond 56 days owing to them as the army tries to deal with breaches of its leave policy identified by the Auditor General's Department.

In its report tabled in Parliament las t week, the department said that the chief of staff at the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) has agreed to strictly adhere to its leave policy, following the revelation of unauthorised payments amounting to $135 million last year.

"The leave policy stipulates that no rank should be paid beyond the fourth entitlement, or 56 days at the highest rank. However, leave was being allowed to accumulate up to 569 days and payments were made for up to $4.9 million to officers," the report states.

"Management was advised to exercise strict adherence to the policy. The chief of staff has advised that the leave policy will be strictly adhered to," it concluded.