KINGSTON, Jamaica— The opposition, People’s National Party (PNP) is urging Government to move with speed to address the stagnation in the discussions regarding wage negotiations for 2017-2019 with the island’s nurses, which have been stalled indefinitely.

According to the PNP there seems to be a stalemate between the Government and the Nurses Association of Jamaica that has resulted in the disruption of services in the public health care facilities with scores of nurses reported as being sick thus affecting the delivery of care.

In a release this morning, the Opposition said the nurses are suffering and the wage offer from the Government was an insult.

“The Government offered an increase of a meagre three per cent to the nurses which equates to less than $2000 per month or less than $100 more per day. The Opposition views this as an insult to the hard working nurses, who sacrifice daily to preserve the well being of our nation,” the PNP release said.

“It is clear that the nurses and other members of the health care team are overworked and grossly under paid, leaving very limited room for motivation. The Opposition stands in solidarity with the nurses and demands that the Government shows them the respect they deserve by resuming the talks with them in an effort to make a meaningful offer.”