Headlines:
| Public sector workers to get increase in travelling allowances |
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| Friday, 18 July 2008 | |
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Thousands of public sector workers who have been buckling
under the pressure of soaring fuel prices are to receive a top up in their pay. RJR News has been informed that the Government is to fork out more than $1 billion to compensate 10,000 public sector travelling officers who have seen their fuel bills skyrocket. President of the Jamaica Civil Service Association Wayne Jones has confirmed that negotiations are in progress with the Ministry of Finance for increased travelling rates, and said that the parties are close to a settlement. "We expect that before next week is out, we would have communicated with the travelling officers in the public sector and I would have gotten communication from them as to the suitability of the offer that is on the table," said Mr. Jones He explained that the travelling allowance paid to public sector workers had not been reviewed for two years. Mr. Jones said in light of the fuel crisis an adjustment was necessary. "We reckon an additional $1.3 to $1.4 billion (which would cover) allowances, mileage rate ... and we're also trying to get some increases in the allowance rate of the motor vehicle revolving loan fund," he said. Review travel arrangement for private sector workers One of the country's major trade unions said it could become necessary for wage contracts in the private sector to be renegotiated due to the record rise in the cost of petrol. President of the National Workers Union Vincent Morrison said with the labour force barely able to keep up with fuel increases employers will have to consider a special hardship allowance. "I really believe that those contracts that were negotiated to start in early January to April this year with clauses for travelling officers, I think all of those must be reviewed because those arrangements are (proving to be) worthless at this time," said Mr. Morrison. |