The Minister of Labour and Social Security says the Industrial Disputes Tribunal, IDT, must be allowed to carry out its functions independently.
The minister is Pearnel Charles Jr.
His comment, in a statement on Friday, was in response to pressure from the Jamaica Medical Doctors’ Association, JMDA.
It came hours after the association announced a withdrawal of service for a 24-hour period.
The move by the doctors arises from an impasse between the JMDA and the government over payments for emergency duty and overtime work retroactive to 2021 when the last rate contract expired.
The association is seeking an award of $31 billion, but the government contends the bill is $23 billion.
The matter was referred to the IDT for compulsory arbitration under the Labour Relations and Industrial Disputes Act in January 2025, with formal hearings concluding on April 1, 2026.
The tribunal is yet to deliver a ruling, a position the JMDA says is untenable.
In his statement on Friday, the labour minister says he acknowledges the concerns of the JMDA as it awaits the IDT award.
He says the ministry understands the importance of a timely resolution to these longstanding matters.
Minister Charles Jr. says, however, that the ministry will refrain from commenting on the merits of the dispute and from taking any action that could be construed as seeking to influence the tribunal’s decision.
He says the government remains committed to a fair, lawful and peaceful resolution and has confidence in the tribunal’s consideration of the evidence and the issues before it.
The labour ministry says it’s encouraging all parties to maintain constructive engagement and industrial harmony while the proceedings are concluded.
