Unions fearful of wage freeze extension

Some of Jamaica's public sector groups are expressing fear that government employees could be faced with a further wage freeze given the extension of the loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund.

According to the teachers, nurses and junior doctors, they are yet to receive information on these plans despite seeking an update.

Jamaica Teachers Association (JTA) President, Nadine Molloy-Young says trade unions should be updated so that public sector workers will not be caught off guard.

She says the JTA is among public sector unions which have submitted wage claims for the 2010-2012 contract period.

But according to her, they are yet to receive any word from the finance ministry.

The JTA President says this has caused some disquiet among public sector workers.

The JTA, Nurses Association of Jamaica and the Jamaica Medical Doctors Association say they would not support an extension of the wage freeze.

Prime Minister had announced that the Government would be imposing a freeze on wages for two years as his administration tackles the economic crunch.

Finance minister Audley Shaw said the government will be moving to continue that fiscal discipline through seeking to extend the current 27-month IMF loan agreement by an additional 24 months.