KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Campaign Chairman Christopher Tufton is rejecting accusations by the People’s National Party (PNP) that the announcement by JLP leader Andrew Holness of an increase in minimum wage was a last-minute decision.

“In terms of the minimum wage, we don’t want to be placed in their group of being uncertain…It is important to note that this is a response to what the PNP is claiming because we are not like them, that this is a phased approach over five years, the prime minister said that. It is not an afterthought,” Tufton said during a press conference on Monday, an hour after the PNP had concluded its own event.

He continued, “We will begin at $18,500 in the next budget, which is very doable.”

Earlier Monday, the PNP’s Raymond Pryce had said that Holness’ announcement that the minimum wage will be doubled if the JLP gets a third term was an attempt to salvage their campaign.

READ: ‘Desperate tactic’: PNP slams JLP’s minimum wage increase promise

READ: Holness promises to move minimum wage to $18,500 in 2026

In response, Tufton read from the JLP’s “I Choose” manifesto, which included 100 highlights, where increasing the minimum wage was listed as number 76.

“We will build on our record of minimum wage increase by continuing to review cost of living, inflation, as well as our economic and employment conditions, ensuring that work lifts people out of poverty and delivers a decent standard of living for every Jamaican worker,” the campaign manager said.

“We can argue over the specifics of it, manifestos are not intended to give specifics — that comes after the fact, with a discussion,” Tufton maintained.

He said Holness “in his wisdom” sought to give more specifics during the JLP’s mass rally on Sunday.

Pointing to the 158 per cent increase in the minimum wage over the JLP’s last two terms, Tufton said the government was working to improve productivity and banking on its experience with raising the minimum wage.

“We have a legacy of demonstrating that we can improve the economics in keeping with our desire to address living standards among the population and those who need it most,” Tufton said.

“Unlike the others, this was not an afterthought,” Tufton reiterated, adding, “They remind me of strays, forget where they are coming from and don’t know where they are going and that’s not the way to run a country, that is a highly risky experiment.”

— Dana Malcolm