Disgruntled residents protest salary hike for parliamentarians

Jamaicans from various sectors staged a protest on Friday morning by Emancipation Park in New Kingston, over the recent massive increase in salaries for parliamentarians.

The protest started promptly at 8:00 a.m. with protesters hoisting placards with statements blasting politicians who permitted the increases, of which tax payers will have to foot the bill. 

During interviews with The STAR, numerous persons said they were not satisfied with the hike in new pay the political directorate would be collecting.

Those figures of increase were announced by Finance and Public Service Minister, Dr Nigel Clarke on Tuesday in the House of Representatives. 

For the finance minister, his salary has moved up by 232 per cent from $7.4 million in 2021 to $24.6 million as at April 1, 2024. The finance minister is now receiving $21.7 million effective April 1, 2023.

Cabinet ministers have received a 230 per cent increase in salary up to April 1, 2024 with their pay moving from $6.9 million in 2021 to $22.9 million next year. As of April 1, 2023, Cabinet ministers will take home an annual salary of $20.2 million.

The prime minister’s salary jumps by 214 per cent, with his pay moving from $9.1 million in 2021 to $28.6 million on April 1, 2024. Effective April 1, 2023, the head of government will get $25.3 million annually.

The increases form part of the new rates under the public sector compensation system announced by Clarke.

The deputy prime minister’s salary has also surged by 221 per cent, moving from a little over $8 million in 2021 to $25.7 million effective April 1, 2024. As of April 1, 2023, the deputy prime minister is being paid $22.7 million per year.

- Ainsworth Morris 

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