Fayval Williams, the minister of finance, criticising the budget proposals made by the Opposition as she closes the 2025/26 Budget Debate in Parliament on Tuesday.Photo: Karl Mclarty
June 24, 2025
KINGSTON, Jamaica— The Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU) says Finance Minister Fayval Williams’ recent announcement of a 7.5 per cent salary increase for public sector workers is nothing new but instead represents a deferred obligation from the 2022–2025 public sector compensation restructuring process.
“The JCTU wishes to make it unequivocally clear that this is not a new or additional benefit. Instead, the increment movement represents a deferred obligation from the 2022–2025 public sector compensation restructuring process—an obligation implemented without any retroactive payments. To present this as a new gain misrepresents the reality, as these increments were always due and are part of the established compensation framework,” the JCTU said in a statement on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the unions noted that there are several categories of workers who are excluded from the adjustment, including public officers who commenced service on or after April 1, 2025 and daily paid and casual workers, whose contributions continue to be overlooked in the
restructured salary scheme.
It said this exclusion raises serious concerns about fairness and equity within the public service.
“All workers who contribute meaningfully to the operations of the State should receive equitable treatment,” the JCTU said.
The JCTU argued that under Public Service Regulations 38, the payment of increments is not discretionary, and noted that there is no lawful basis to delay or withhold increment payments.
The JCTU also expressed deep concern over what it said was the ministry’s failure to respond to its letter dated June 12, 2025, requesting the commencement of wage negotiations for the 2025–2028 public sector compensation review.
“This continued silence is interpreted by public sector workers as a sign of disregard for their concerns and a departure from good-faith negotiation practices. The JCTU reaffirms its commitment to dialogue and urges the ministry to treat these matters with the seriousness and urgency they demand. The confederation remains available to meet at short notice to move negotiations forward,” it concluded.