Jamaican Nurses looking forward to their “double pay”
26 09 2007
Source: Jamaica Gleaner - October 3rd, 2007
Just when I thought I could exhale, along comes the Nurses Association of Jamaica, claiming that they “have di tape”. Di Tape? Well this morning’s Jamaica Gleaner has reported that this group will be holding the Minister of Finance to his word. Apparently when he was the Opposition spokesman on finance, he had cut their cake with them at their 60th anniversary party and promised them at least “double pay”.
“We have him on a DVD where he cut the cake with us at our 60th anniversary/Founder’s Day and he really sympathised with us and we are holding him to it (the promise),” declared Edith Allwood-Anderson, NAJ president, yesterday at a Gleaner Editors’ Forum.
Now anyone who has listened to Edith Allwood-Anderson over the last year will see that this is a woman who doesn’t joke around. She takes her position seriously and I am sure Omar Davies must be saying “Thank yuh Lawd seh dat woman get off mi back”.
Interesting times ahead……………
Read: http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20070926/lead/lead1.html
Mi sorry fi ‘im.
I wonder if that was an on-the-record or off-the-top-of-the-head question at the time. Dang! He’s probably wishing now that he had stuffed more cake into his mouth instead.
Dawta….and nuh worry…yuh caan raise nurse pay and not police and teacher…so dem next pon di list. Mark you they didn’t say when these things would happen…but you know us Jamaicans….wi want it now!
Undoubtedly,nurses, police and teachers are severely and grossly under remunerated for their respective services offered to the general Jamaican society and its people.Indeed, respective groups - and other workers in Jamaica - should be remunerated in a manner commensurate with their skills,training, education,experience and the regional Caribbean competitive market rates, inter alia,which lends for an affordable and liveable,decent and dignified lifestyle within the context of the Jamaican political economy.With respect to the Nurses Association of Jamaica (NAJ) president,Ms. Edith Allwood-Anderson, and her expectation for a doubled remuneration package, as supposedly promised her by the then Opposition Minister of Finance and now the Minister of Finance,Mr. Audley Shaw,this is quite interesting.Contextually, one is totally ignorant as to what transpired on this tape/DVD which Ms. Allwood-Anderson purports to possess.Notwithstanding, and despite what is on the tape, Ms. Edith Allwood-Anderson,et al, should and must be extremely realistic,cognizant and knowledgeable of the fact that even such a promise of a doubled remuneration package - if true - by Mr. Shaw would be totally unrealistic and unaffordable based on the limitations and constraints of the extant Jamaican political economy.Certainly,and quite frankly,the nurses and others do need increased remuneration in terms of a cost of living adjustments. But for Ms. Allwood-Anderson to dramatically expect or aniticipate such an emolument package for nurses, this would be an extreme variant of wishful thinking,independent of comprehending the nuances of Jamaica’s troubled political economy, irrespective of a possibly frivolous promise or statement made by Mr. Shaw.YES ! The NAJ should lobby for an increase or an improved emolument package but this should be couched within the context of the realities and the constraints of the Jamaican political economy.Also,full disclosure of such a tape possessed by Ms. Allwood-Anderson is required to substantiate and validate her position vis-a-vis doubled remuneration as explicated by Mr. Shaw. RESPECT !!
Ummm……after reading that lengthy epistle, are you suggesting that the nurses should just chalk it up to an “election gimmick”? The tape that she speaks of is proof of him saying that he would be giving them double pay. The NAJ has been embattled with the government for a few years now bringing to national attention the lack of proper plant facilities and infrastructure. They have been demanding not only a a salary increase, but also better working conditions.
It seems that you may not be aware of this, but professionals don’t need to stay here and suffer. There is a high demand for medical professionals in developed countries….who needs a nurse? Me or the nurse? Oh please…
One is not suggesting that nurses and others should not realize increased remuneration. On the contrary,they should. Also,improved plant facilities should and must be addressed by the government.Nonetheless,the economic realities of Jamaica dictates and suggests that a doubled package of remuneration for nurses would not be possible or feasible, specifically within the short term. This does not mean or suggest that the NAJ and the government are not capable of working out some amicable memorandum of understanding or agreement in the short to medium term.But for the NAJ to expect a doubled emolument package, such expectations would be unrealistic, as a conseqence of the economic and budgetary constraints confronting and challenging Jamaica. Concerning the question of the mobility of labor,i.e., Jamaican labor and professionals including nurses have been geographically mobile historically - specifically over the last eighteen and a half years - and are not constrained by the boundaries of Jamaica in terms of realizing professional growth, development and salaries. Interestingly, as a society, and a matter of economic policy we have been exporting our professionals to various metropolitan societies,with the expectation that they will remit and transfer resources back to Jamaica.Consequently, one is of the perspective that a considerable number of Jamaicans will be standing in the lines of various embassies with respect to visas for professional placement in sundry fields/disciplines in metropolitan societies, because the government will not be able to provide doubled emolument packages as contended by the NAJ. Again, I categorically support the nurses for increased renumeration and better working conditions.One does not have a problem with the nurses realizing such financial objectives.Full disclosure of the tape/DVD is essential,hopefully,Ms.Allwood Anderson will be forthcoming with same in the short term.
Mr. Reid. You are speaking from overseas. Have you heard yourself? Are you saying that the nurses should just chalk up the statement about getting double pay (also for the police and teachers) as just hot air? You do not see it as the government’s responsibilty to honor their promises? All this time people were asking where the hell the money was coming from and nobody was saying…we keep hearing we have to wait until the economy grows. Bullshit! People want those promises kept RIGHT NOW!
How about answering my post about when you plan to return to Jamaica and make this country bright again, with your technical know how. Incidentally, while remittances rival tourism, I think the economy could do with some brain power and expertise…so when are you returning?
Jamaican Girl, at this moment one does not know what to believe regarding the statement of double payment. The tape/DVD has not been disclosed.Hence,one is extremely curious as to what is really on the tape. Also,if such a statement was made to the NAJ via Mr. Audley Shaw, one does not know if it was a policy statement in terms of the JLP, or Mr. Shaw’s personal conviction ,with regard to the marginalization of Jamaican nurses,and the pressing need to radically increase their remuneration.Irrespective,one is of the perspective that the government will be able to accommodate the NAJ in some manner or form.With respect to satisfying promises instantaneously, this is not possible ,or plausible.Mr. Golding’s predecessors left the coffers bare.Consequently,the wiggle room that the government has with regard to economic resources is extremely limited.As a matter of fact, many individuals are cognizant of this implausibility, but elements in the society have transformed this inadequacy inherited by the JLP from their predecessors into a political issue in terms of the politics of immediacy.Understandably,certain expectations will definitely be addressed in the short term, but not all expectations will be addressed or resolved RIGHT NOW ! Interestingly,even in polities that are not plagued with the numerous vexing problems that Jamaica is now experiencing, and are more economically resource endowed , capable and not existing marginally in terms of the budget.On assuming the responsibilitites of a new government, campaign promises are not necessarily resolved or addressed instantaneously but more so in the medium term. Concerning your recent post regarding diaspora Jamaicans returning to play a role in the economic, political, and social development of Jamaica.I have actually done that. Therefore,the post is not necessarily applicable to me, I actually reside in Central Manchester, but my current activities result in me travelling somewhat extensively, such activities are now coming to an end, which will result in me being more domiciled in Jamaica.Hopefully, I will meet you one of these days, most likely, at some symposium on economic and social development.RESPECT !!
oonu impatient eh?
Now really JAGirl, do you really think that people expected the campaign promises right away. I recall one of the numerous JLP ads (I forget which MP), however I remember the speaker said “The will be no school fee come September Morning” That very statement made me flinch because I know that wouldn’t be possible with all the bureaucratic red tape just get policies pass through Government. I believe the majority of the people knew that then and now. I am not surprised that it’s more than they budgeted or assumed it would cost. I am going to give my people the benefit of the doubt that they know these things take time, everything can’t happen at once.
I think Ms. Allwood-Anderson made a public statement as a strategy to remind the Minister of Finance “Hey, Hey Hey. .. don’t forget you promise us” Could that be possible?
Let’s wait and see nuh?
[...] unknown wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptJust when I thought I could exhale, along comes the Nurses Association of Jamaica, claiming that they “have di tape”. Di Tape? Well this morning’s Jamaica Gleaner has reported that this group will be holding the Minister of Finance to … [...]
No Nonsense let me just explain the whole story about the nurses. They have been embattled with the PNP administration for a very long time on this wage issue….LONG TIME. This is not something where they are coming out of the woods to say “Hey I want a pay increase right now!”. It’s a long standing issue.
The PNP administration told them that there was no money to give them a wage increase. In campaigning, the JLP said they would double the salaries of police, nurses and teachers. The nurses have been very militant about it. Not only about their salaries, but also about their working conditions.
When you say “I believe the majority of the people knew that then and now”, on what basis do you say that? You are quite wrong. The JLP campaigns told people if they win today then there will be no fees tomorrow. People have taken it literally. I stated in a previous post that I knew it couldn’t happen because to start with, the government would have to wait until the next fiscal year, which begins in March. However, the public at large was told something differently, and they are demanding that the JLP keep its word.
I am not saying that the NAJ’s actions is not what you have described above, but I have been following the NAJ and their various demonstrations for the last 2 years and I can assure you, they want their money now. I think it is unfair for people to campaign with crap like that and then let down the citizens. It says that the government doesn’t respect us. If you lived here you would hear the DAILY plights of most people and understand just what they are going through. We cannot assume that the majority of the population knows the ins and outs of how government works…in fact I would say the majority does not know or understand how govt works….all they know is that they want their promises honored now.
Agosto Reid: Ya right! I have seen your posts all over the web…..:))
is it too late for him to say whoops
My respect for Mrs. Allwood has been unquestionable in her quest to defend the needs and right of the nurses. She has taken a stand on an issue she feels is an injustice where many of us including myself resort to verandah talk (something I am committed to change). While her ratings remain I am however going to be very slow in taking a position until I hear the tape. A few of the comments here indicate that Mrs. A’s assertion has been taken as gospel and whereas I never thought of doubting her credibility I cannot help but express some discomfort with what I have been told is her refusal to release the tape until she has determined that the current administration refuses to grant their request or better said until they “keep their promise”.
But put yourself in the PM’s shoes a minute. You are advised of a promise a member of your party gave some 15 months ago at an Founder’s Day, you have never as the party leader echoed that promise, its not in your manifesto, you enquire and Shaw advises you that he commiserated with the plight of the nurses and told them they DESERVED double pay. You are then advised that Mrs Allwood will not release the tape until…… What would you do? Bow to what could be seen as blackmail….show me the money or else!!!!
I personally have no reason to doubt her but if it is true that she has refused to release the tape until her conditions are met then I am having a difficulty, if not with her credibility, certainly with her methodology.
If I am following the train of thought here, what we are saying is if Mr Shaw is indeed guilty of such and any and every careless member of the JLP election campaign (60 of them) had gotten up and made wild promises unknown to the leader and unblessed by the party, it matters not whether the promise was feasible or not, the leader should just run with it now.
I agree with Esteban’s suggestion that we not be too hasty until the issue is substantiated but I agree with JGirl that I have grown weary of mouth saying anything when election time come and you vote on the basis of promises and then a politician just walk away from it. However, by principle I believe its the Party’s Manifesto that we should measure them by, not a wild one-man-band’s histrionics.
Hey JGirl, tell me something…when did you start this Blog?
More tape and less talk. In any case, it’s unreasonable to hold the entire government repsonsible for one man’s informal year and half old promises.
hopefully KPH get dem syringes…
[...] Jamaican Girl has so astutely underscored in her comment, I raise the question again: How can he raise the [...]
I think that SOME Jamaicans understood that these politicians were making their typical election promises just to get elected.
However, many Jamaicans took them at their word, hence the school fee scenario now faced. Politicians are notorious for making blind and empty promises and it was only a matter of time before they got caught and were exposed.
The nurses know that the Govt. cannot pay them better as yet but they also want to expose the promises that were made so that the public knows what kind of people we are dealing with.
Some will say that the promises were not intended to be honoured right away, but then the wording clearly betrays that argument. The school fee promise was made for September - why would we think that other immediate promises were not made?
The gleaner carried the full text of Shaw utterances… his ass is in trouble …. yep nuff trouble.. chat too friggin much cho
Thank yuh Bobby…mek mi post di link. I haven’t read the Gleaner today…have to prepare an abstract for my paper and it has made me miss the news in the papers for a little while.