JAMAICA’S private sector lobby group has moved to ease the financial burden on public sector workers, who have had to endure multiple wage freezes for the last several years.

The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) launched its Team Jamaica Public Sector Value Card Programme on Tuesday. The programme will allow the nation’s more than 120,000 public sector workers, who will be issued with Team Jamaica value cards, to benefit from discounts at participating merchants.

“The participating merchants are asked to provide a reward discount to Team Jamaica card holders who spend at their businesses, and that reward goes directly on the card,” explained PSOJ president Christopher Zacca at the launch ceremony held at the organisation’s offices in Kingston.

The participating merchants so far are Altamont Court Hotel, Alternative Power Sources, Appliance Traders Limited, ATL Automotive, GasPro, Michi Super Centre, Pepsi, Singer Jamaica and University College of the Caribbean

“The rewards earned can be used at any participating merchant, which provides for greater spending within the network. Most importantly, the rewards are instantaneous and can be used immediately and at a number of different stores,” Zacca said, adding that the organisation is looking forward to having more companies on board as the programme gains momentum.

The programme is being administered by ePayment Group, who will hold fiduciary and technical responsibility for the programme.

After all public sector workers are signed up for the programme, the PSOJ plans to sign up all Government pensioners, who will also benefit.