Midwives, education officers sign wage agreement
THE Jamaica Midwives Association and the Jamaica Association of Education Officers are the latest groups to sign the Heads of Agreement for the 2015/17 contract period.
The associations signed the agreement in a ceremony at the Ministry of Finance and Planning on Wednesday.
Newly appointed Minister of Health Horace Dalley, speaking then in his capacity as minister with responsibility for the public service, commended the members of both associations for their patriotism and understanding, while emphasising the Government’s commitment to honouring the terms of the agreement.
“I want to congratulate both associations for your commitment to the country and for signing. The public sector workers of Jamaica …work very hard to deliver service to the people of Jamaica,” he said.
Minister Dalley also reiterated the Government’s intention to conduct a review of the pay policy for public sector workers during the 2015/17 contract period, to see how best they can be adequately remunerated. He said that the findings will be shared with the unions as well as members of the public sector.
In her brief address, President of the Jamaica Midwives Association Aseta Edwards Hamilton said the association is mindful of the sacrifices that must be made for the advancement of the country.
“We are signing in the interest of good faith as we understand the economic challenges the country is facing. As midwives, we know we have to make sacrifices in order to help the country to move forward,” she said.
President of the Jamaica Association of Education Officers Patricia Perry thanked Minister Dalley and the team at the ministry for their professionalism during the negotiations.
— JIS