♦ If we cannot command it we will demand it. If you can’t open your eyes as a Government and see the need to give us adequate compensation, then rest assured we may have to open those eyes for you,”.
Sergeant Raymond Wilson Police Federation Chairman who also serves on the National Housing Trust Board, pulled no punches in demanding a better wage increase offer than that presently on the table.
“I I just want you to stop and think for a while, what is really five per cent after waiting for so long? Is that what the Government really wants to offer?”.
Many members of the rank-and file though in agreement that the Government’s 5% offer is grossly inadequate, roll their eyes at Wilson Many members believe Wilson is a blow-hard that gives off a lot of heat and shed no light.
None of the Officers I spoke to have any idea how Wilson plans on making good on his threats if the Government does not budge. In fact some are quite willing to see the back of Wilson who they say has not accomplished anything on their behalf.
Despite their disaffection, Wilson was just recently returned as president of the Federation.
That aside, the real question is just how much can the Government afford to pay public sector workers in this financial crunch. Conventional wisdom suggest there is not much more on the table if the International Fund has anything to do with it, and it does.
So what are Police , Teachers, Nurses and other public employees to do?
Threats aside, not much.
The Miller Administration knows these workers depend on the meager stipend they are paid without which their circumstances would be much more dire.
The International Monetary fund dictates to the Administration just what percentage of the budget may go to paying public sector wages.
Many of these public sector workers have time and again gone to the polls to elect and re-elect this PNP party to form the Government despite it’s abysmal track record of handling the economy.
The police as other Jamaicans must subsequently take some responsibility for the predicament in which it find itself.
Police Commissioner Carl Williams is slated to meet with the Federation today, as is customary for decades, Government dispatches the Commissioner to go talk down to the rank and file about it’s lack of ability to pay more.
In the end they will not be getting much more if anything above that 5% offer if at all.
Commissioner Carl Williams on the other hand earns between $8 and $10 million annually.
A police constable’s basic pay is J$581,701 each year, a stunning just over US$5,000 each year.
It will be difficult to weed out corruption from the Ranks if officers do not see a substantial increase in their ability to feed their families.
Correct your spelling on teachers,
Thank you we appreciate your diligence.