Rank-and-file members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) on Tuesday night officially signed off on the Government's public sector compensation review programme.
This now paves the way for $10.2 billion to be paid out to law enforcers from the rank of constable to inspector, which represents retroactive amounts, given the April 1, 2022 implementation date of the new pay structure.
The overall announcements were made by Finance and the Public Service Minister, Dr Nigel Clarke, in a tweet on Wednesday.
In expressing joy that an agreement had finally been inked with the JCF members, the minister said the officers play an "indispensable" role in society.
"I’m overjoyed that through collaboration with the federation in this compensation restructuring exercise, we have been able to advance changes that will bring improvements for rank-and-file members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force," Clarke tweeted.
"This signing of this MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) now paves the way for $10.2 billion to be paid out to our rank-and-file policemen and policewomen, representing retroactive amounts given the April 1, 2022 implementation date of this reform," he added.
Clarke also described the signing of the wage agreement as "a significant milestone".
Added the minister: "I, therefore, wish to take this opportunity to express gratitude to the members of the Central Committee of the Jamaica Police Federation for their advocacy, leadership and collaboration on behalf of rank-and-file policemen and policewomen."
Over 86 per cent of the delegates of the police federation voted to cast their vote in support of the Government's wage offer last Thursday, this despite reports that the virtual voting on the offer was marred by technical glitches.
Meanwhile, Clarke also announced on Wednesday that he was "delighted" to sign an MOU under the new compensation review system with the United District Constables’ Association.
"District constables play a critical role in maintaining law and order in our country," he tweeted.
With the rank-and-file members signing off on the compensation review programme, 95 per cent or 105,000 public sector employees have now inked agreements under the new pay system.
The Police Officers’ Association (POA), which represents gazetted officers of the JCF from the rank of assistant superintendent to commissioner, is among groups yet to accept the new wage offer under the review.