There has been another delay to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) review of Jamaica's performance under the standby facility.
Minister of Finance, Audley Shaw indicated on Wednesday that other issues have resulted in the setback.
The public sector wage dispute over the 2009 to 2012 contract period is now settled.
But according to Daryl Vaz, the Minister with responsibility for Information, that was not the only matter about which the IMF expressed concern .
Those outstanding issues included public sector staffing costs going forward.
Just last week, the past president of the Jamaica Civil Service Association, Wayne Jones told Prime Minister Bruce Golding that with the signing of the wage agreement...urgent negotiations should start on wage agreements going forward.
Meanwhile, the IMF has told the Golding administration to indicate what levels the public sector wage bill will be going forward.
And since that information has not come as yet...the Finance Ministry says the completion of the IMF reviews...has been further delayed.
Based on Mr. Shaw’s statement, the review has been delayed because the IMF is concerned that the cost of the public sector could derail the Government’s economic programme, by requiring greater borrowing if revenue targets are not met.
The Finance Ministry release says the government and public sector
unions will now have to come to an agreement about the cost of the public sector.
Another critical matter, that of tax reform was also urged to be moved.
That includes reducing discretionary waivers, and further improving tax administration.
The Finance Minister met with the new IMF Mission Chief to Jamaica, Luis Breuer today to discuss the issues.
http://rjrnewsonline.com/business/an...lay-imf-review
Minister of Finance, Audley Shaw indicated on Wednesday that other issues have resulted in the setback.
The public sector wage dispute over the 2009 to 2012 contract period is now settled.
But according to Daryl Vaz, the Minister with responsibility for Information, that was not the only matter about which the IMF expressed concern .
Those outstanding issues included public sector staffing costs going forward.
Just last week, the past president of the Jamaica Civil Service Association, Wayne Jones told Prime Minister Bruce Golding that with the signing of the wage agreement...urgent negotiations should start on wage agreements going forward.
Meanwhile, the IMF has told the Golding administration to indicate what levels the public sector wage bill will be going forward.
And since that information has not come as yet...the Finance Ministry says the completion of the IMF reviews...has been further delayed.
Based on Mr. Shaw’s statement, the review has been delayed because the IMF is concerned that the cost of the public sector could derail the Government’s economic programme, by requiring greater borrowing if revenue targets are not met.
The Finance Ministry release says the government and public sector
unions will now have to come to an agreement about the cost of the public sector.
Another critical matter, that of tax reform was also urged to be moved.
That includes reducing discretionary waivers, and further improving tax administration.
The Finance Minister met with the new IMF Mission Chief to Jamaica, Luis Breuer today to discuss the issues.
http://rjrnewsonline.com/business/an...lay-imf-review
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