PM too quiet on wage talks
Dear Editor,
Many members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) have staged — or continue to stage — a sick-out, aka stayed away from work. The reason given for this action is that they are dissatisfied with the proposed wage increase. They consider the offer of six per cent inadequate.
My concern about the whole thing is that the Government of the day seemingly doesn’t have any answers. By now you would have expected that the prime minister, minister of national security and/or the minister of finance would at the very least have issued a statement on the matter.
At this time, it is imperative that the members of the JCF are of the view that they are being supported by the Government and the people of Jamaica.
The buck stops with the prime minister as he leads the Government, but if not him then the fundamental question is: Where is the seemingly clueless minister of national security? He has not uttered a word about this present situation.
Since this is a matter concerning wages, one would at the very least have expected a statement from the Ministry of Finance. I must mention, though, that Audley Shaw, the minister of finance, has been uncharacteristically silent throughout 2017 — perhaps he is still in shock over the $8.3-million phone bill.
At a time when crime has spiralled out of control it is quite irresponsible on the part of the Government not to be proactive about the situation. This is a matter of great concern as the members of the JCF are very dejected and discouraged about many issues concerning their job and this is an unwanted addition to the stresses inherent in the job.
I will end where I started, the Government is very quiet on the matter and I am calling on the prime minister, first and foremost, to enlighten our darkness about the matter and tell the nation what plan of action the Government will undertake to remedy this issue in the shortest possible time.
Gary Rowe
magnett0072004@yahoo.com