News

Carl Gilchrist, Gleaner Writer

Dwight Nelson, the minister of national security, says the Government has not abdicated its responsibility to pay the members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) the seven per cent salary increase due to them.

In answering questions about the outstanding issue from JCF members at their conference at the Sunset Jamaica Grande in Ocho Rios on Wednesday, Nelson said the Government has recognised that it has a contractual responsibility to pay the outstanding sum.

"I will continue to make my input in discussions and deliberation. Every meeting the Government has had with trade union leaders I have been asked to attend because of my antecedent," Nelson, a former trade unionist, said.

He added: "Let me be clear that there is no position that says the seven per cent will not be paid. There is no abdication of our contractual responsibility; Government has not said it will not pay it."

He continued: "Government has said it recognises and it accepts that it has a contractual responsibility to live up to the provisions of the agreement. What we are talking about now is how do we address it. I will continue to make my intervention on your behalf in government deliberation and discussions pursuant to bringing finality to this matter."

Tug of war

The police have been wrestling with Government for a seven per cent increase in salary due under a memorandum of understanding to be paid. Prime Minister Bruce Golding has announced a wage freeze, saying the Government could not afford to pay increases due to public-sector workers.

However, groups like the police have been pushing for their increase, insisting that even if Government cannot afford to pay now it must give a timeline for payment.

Meanwhile, Nelson gave the police his assurance that immediate attention would be paid to the Falmouth Police Station, after he was told that officers there have been working in subhuman conditions.

Police Federation chairman, Sergeant Raymond Wilson, told the minister that during high tide, water from the sea and sewage back up into the building that is now being used to house the officers.

Minister Nelson said no one should work in such conditions and assured that his permanent secretary would look into the matter and, if conditions as described exist, the staff would be relocated.

He said the legal issues that held up the construction of a new police station in Falmouth have been resolved and this should now pave the way for construction to begin.