Judges are set to receive a wage increase which includes retroactive payment over a three-year period.

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr Nigel Clarke, made the announcement in Parliament on Tuesday (May 9).

The finance minister said that the wage increase for the judges is based on the recommendation of the Independent Commission along with submissions from the Judiciary to the Independent Commission for 2021/2022 and 2022/2023.

For the 2021/2022 period, judges will receive a six per cent salary increase which is a departure from the Independent Commission recommendation.

Clarke said that the government will adopt the Independent Commission recommendation for the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 periods noting that those two years coincide with the compensation overhaul in the system.

The increase in salaries for judges across the three-year period will cost approximately J$1.87 billion which will be accounted for in the 2023/2024 fiscal year.

Minister Clarke said the wage increase will allow members of the judiciary to enjoy a salary that coincides with the nature and prestige of their job.

“Jamaica, Madam Speaker, needs a strong, wise and efficient judiciary if we are to achieve our developmental objectives,” he added.

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