The Governor General, Sir Patrick Allen, is set to receive an almost 200 percent increase in salary, that will move his publicly funded income to just over $34 million per year.
The movement in the salary of the country’s nominal Head of State is in line with the substantial increase in the salary of the Chief Justice.
The Chief Justice is set to receive emoluments totaling $34,837,000 effective April 1 this year.
More in this report from Mahiri Stewart.
The Governor General is King Charles’ representative in Jamaica. The office is frequently referred to as the ceremonial Head of State. His authority is derived from Chapter Four of the Constitution.
But the Governor General has several key functions.
Among them are giving assent to legislation passed by Parliament, dissolving and summoning Parliament, appointing key officers of the State, including the Prime Minister, Ministers of the Cabinet and members of the Judiciary.
The Governor General also plays several important functions in relation to the civil service and exercises the prerogative of mercy.
For these official functions, he will get a gross salary of more than $34 million this year.
Under the rules governing salaries in the public service, the salary of the Governor General is pegged to that of the country’s most senior jurist, the Chief Justice.
Finance Minister, Dr. Nigel Clarke confirmed the salary link between the two offices.
The Governor General was previously paid a salary of just over $12 million. That means Sir Patrick will enjoy a 183 percent increase in salary.
But beyond his remuneration, the Governor General’s Office and staff are also a call on the public purse.
The total budget allocated for the maintenance of the Office of Governor General and its staff for the current fiscal year is $440 million.
Several sections of the society have criticised the expenditure as unnecessary.
The Constitutional Reform Committee has recommended that the Office of Governor General be abolished and replaced with the Office of President.
There have been repeated questions as to whether that Office should be a ceremonial or executive one.
