Jamaicans protest the exorbitant rise in parliamentarians' salaries

Concerned citizens protesting at Emancipation Park in New Kingston, Kingston, Jamaica.

 At around 8:15, Friday morning, several disgruntled Jamaicans gathered at Emancipation Park (Kingston, Jamaica) to protest the massive salary increases the politicians awarded themselves effective April 1, 2023. Some were holding placards with messages such as "Fix it Nigel!", "No justification for huge salary increases" and "$28 million... while the people suffer... No King Andrew!"

One protester described the move by the government as the "height of wickedness" and called on Jamaicans across the 14 parishes to "send a message" to what she described as an "uncaring" government over the decision. 

On May 17, 2023 Finance Minister announced that as part of the Public Sector Restructuring program and under the new Compensation Program the political directorate would receive increases in their salaries. The rub is - no one expected that it would be by so much. So, after doling out increases to public sector workers - 13% to 20% on their salaries - it was their turn for a pay rise. And what a pay rise it is!

The Prime Minister’s salary is raised by a whopping 214 per cent, which means his current salary of $9.1 million (2021) will jump 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 Minister Clarke.

The deputy prime minister’s salary 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.

The leader of the opposition has received a similar increase to that of the deputy prime minister.

With a 230 per cent increase in salary from April 2021 to a similar period in 2024, MPs’ take-home pay will move from $4.3 million to $14.2 million per year. Effective April 1, 2023, MPs will receive $12.5 million each year.

The finance minister told his parliamentary colleagues that previous allowances paid to members of the political directorate, including housing and telephone allowance, will be discontinued effective April 1, 2022.

The salaries of mayors have also been hiked, with the mayor of Kingston’s pay increasing from $3.8 million in 2021 to $11.4 million as at April 1, 2024. This represents a 200 per cent increase. On April 1, 2023 his salary moved up to $10.1 million.

The mayor of Montego Bay’s salary has jumped by 205 per cent moving from $3.4 million in 2021 to $10.4 million as at April 1, 2024. His current pay effective April 1, 2023 is $9.2 million annually.

No wonder the people are upset!