KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Jamaica Medical Doctors’ Association (JMDA) is expressing discomfort at what it describes as the lengthy delay in negotiations, let alone the conclusion of the overtime policy for medical doctors.

In a statement on Thursday the JMDA took “note of the Honorable Minister of Finance, Dr Nigel Clarke’s statement in his recent Cabinet’s address that he has been ‘actively engaging with the unions’.”

In the Cabinet address, Dr Clarke revealed that the Government is working to complete a new policy to govern overtime payment for public sector workers by March 31.

The Finance Minister went on to say that the new overtime policy is being developed under the public sector compensation reform, which involved approximately 40 public sector unions and over 100 public bodies.

The JMDA made it known that the Ministry of Finance and Public (MOFPS) service has not only left “our numerous letters unanswered, but it has also neglected to have its first meeting with the union JMDA with regards to this new policy.”

“While we are delighted that other unions have been able to have two to three meetings over the last few weeks, it appears as though the plight of doctors has been largely forgotten. The JMDA deems the actions of the Ministry to be unacceptable and a blatant disregard for the doctors who work tirelessly in the service of our nation,” the statement read.

The JMDA went on to call on the MOFPS to urgently address this matter to assuage the concerns of our members and the public.