Dear Editor,

The recent news from the Jamaican Government regarding salary increases for the political directorate has hit the nation like a catastrophic tsunami, flooding the public with anxiety, distrust, and disappointment.

Some proposed increments range from 100 per cent to 300 per cent by 2024, leaving public servants, such as teachers, firefighters, police, and soldiers, looking on and drooling helplessly.

Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke’s presentation created a powerful and disruptive impact, causing shockwaves of reactions and a reshaping of the collective consciousness. Unfortunately for him and his party, the responses and emotions are not in their favour. Jamaicans, particularly public servants, are rightfully demanding immediate rectification of the new salary scales for all working-class citizens.

Many Jamaicans are expressing outrage and frustration because the Government meagerly negotiated with all other sectors but cut an exorbitant, unjustifiable pay increase for themselves. During negotiations, the Government insisted that allocating more funds would threaten the country’s finances; however, provisions were made to preclude any potential threat caused by a $1.7-billion increase to the budget. One thing is clear, a sense of betrayal has swept through the nation, which is disheartening even for us in the Diaspora.

At a time when the education, health, security, justice, transport, and infrastructure sectors are in deplorable conditions and some systems are facing the most daunting crises in over 50 years, our Government appears to have whitewashed the country’s problems and prioritised personal interests over what is supposed to be sustainable, equal, equitable, and inclusive development.

Our Government’s stance is to invest the most in the political directorate and public leadership, providing no supporting plan for them to improve the crises we are experiencing. The assumption or expectation is that better leaders will have a strategy to improve each sector, but as far as we know, those in charge today are going nowhere. So who does the Government really aim to retain and attract?

Our Government’s stance is to invest in the most highly qualified professionals. We could assume that this move does not look like a middle finger but perhaps a wake-up call for teachers, firefighters, police, and soldiers that a mere bachelor’s or master’s degree will no longer suffice to prevent risking their economic security. If the latter argument were true, it would be indispensable for the Government to consider the potential implications and challenges associated with this approach.

But who pays the Government? How do Jamaicans reject this outrageous proposal? How do we respond collectively to this clear abuse of public trust and disregard for equitable development? Are we even paying attention to the $34-million package that Kings Charles III’s representative will now receive?

Akeem Nash

aalphanso.nash@gmail.com