The Jamaican Government will be moving to extend paid maternity leave in the public sector from 40 days to three months, Finance and the Public Service Minister Dr Nigel Clarke has revealed.

Clarke, who was addressing a press briefing on Tuesday (July 12), said the changes would be reflected in changes to the 2004 public-sector staff orders and noted that the Government has not forgotten about adoptive parents as measures were also being put in place to facilitate their leave.

“We are working to modernise Jamaica’s public service and modernisation is multifaceted. It includes pursuing efficiency and certification. It embraces fairness and equity in compensation. It involves the application of technology to boost access to enhance productivity,” said Clarke.

Paternity leave is also expected to be introduced, for the first time, under specific terms and for a specific time.

Clarke added that the Government was dedicated to improving the lives of those in the public sector
who are at the lowest level.

Assistance will also be provided in the form of back-to-school support.

The appropriate circulation will be sent to members of the public service by September 30, 2022 to facilitate the effect of these changes. The cost of the new leave will also be announced later this year.

He explained that the Government’s actions are a part of the compensation restructure exercise, noting that the decision could not have been made at a better time.

Clarke said the discussions surrounding this exercise were going well.