Gov’t, nurses sign wage agreement
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr Nigel Clarke today announced that the Government and the Nurses Association of Jamaica (NAJ) have reached a wage agreement.
Clarke, at the signing ceremony today, said: “With the signing of this agreement approximately 80 per cent of public sector workers are now covered under a four-year wage agreement. This concludes months of discussions with the Nurses Association of Jamaica which were conducted in an atmosphere of transparency and mutual respect”.
In June 2017, the Government received a 22 point claim for improvements in salaries and fringe benefits for the 2017/2019 contract period from the NAJ, which represents a large cadre of health professionals.
The finance ministry said key points in the agreement include:
[naviga:ul]
[naviga:li]increases in salary and salary-related allowances of five per cent in year one; two per cent in year two; four per cent in year three; and five per cent in year four;[/naviga:li]
[naviga:li]an increase in the amount for the provision of scholarships at the Masters level from $1 million to $1.5 million per scholarship and an increase in the amount available for tertiary grants to nurses from $5 million to $8 million per annum; and[/naviga:li]
[naviga:li]the provision of provide four 30 seater buses to the Ministry of Health, to assist with the transportation of nurses who work on late shifts and one 15 seater for the NAJ office to assist generally. [/naviga:li]
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“As a Government, we understand the concerns which include the need for additional staffing, improvements in the working conditions and the provision of adequate equipment for all health facilities. It is our commitment that over time we will address these concerns to ensure the delivery of optimal health care for our citizens,” Clarke said.
He also thanked the NAJ for “their leadership, understanding and support as we, together, continue to put Jamaica on the path to economic independence and the achievement of our Vision 2030 goals.”
Clarke acknowledged the contribution of Health Minister Christopher Tufton and Minister without Portfolio in the Finance Ministry Fayval Williams in the successful conclusion of negotiations.