BALFORD HENRY, Observer writer balfordh@jamaicaobserver.com
Friday, September 12, 2008
Government has decided to modify the limitations imposed on the 20 per cent motor vehicle duty concession for its travelling officers, which was included in the 2007/2008 budget.
Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Audley Shaw, made the announcement yesterday at a function at his ministry, marking the signing of a new two-year salary agreement between the government and the Jamaica Police Federation (JPF) which represents rank and file police.
Shaw said that he and senators Dwight Nelson and Don Wehby, ministers without portfolio in his ministry, have received numerous complaints about the restrictions which he had articulated in his April budget speech.
"The government has reviewed that policy and we have decided to make a modification. It will not go exactly back to the original policy. It will be modified in terms of the cc rating (of the vehicles)," Shaw said.
"We will move the (maximum) cc rating from 2,500 cc to 3,000 cc and in respect of the diesel vehicles, it will be moved from 2,500 cc to 3,200 cc. In terms of the cif ceiling, it will remain as it was before," he added.
The maximum cif value which will attract the 20 per cent concession will remain at US$25,000.
"Anything above the US$25,000 in terms of the cost of the vehicle, full duty will apply," he confirmed.
He said that the ministry will send out a circular with the details.
Shaw said that the concession is part of benefits provided for public sector employees by the government, having regard to the "relatively modest pay structure" that exists in the sector.
"It is not a benefit that should be transferred to other people," he warned.
He appealed to the police federation and other public sector organisations to assist the ministry in ensuring that the system is not abused, and that only the people for whom it is intended receive the benefit.
Shaw had announced in April that the government would limit the 20 per cent concession to vehicles with a maximum 2,500 cc or US$25,000 value, in order to have better control over its use. However, this has been resisted by a number of public sector bodies, including the Jamaica Teachers Association.
Meanwhile, yesterday Senator Nelson - in outlining the highlights of the agreement with the police - listed the 40-hour work week provision, which requires that police who work excess hours be paid a duty allowance in lieu of overtime. This is retroactive to April.
Senator Nelson led the ministry's negotiating team.
Other agreements he highlighted were that the police high command and the Ministry of National Security are to discuss the controversial issue of police personnel "moonlighting" or doing other work; as well as benefits for the development of personnel, including education grants especially for tertiary level education.
Minister of National Security Colonel Trevor McMillan, and head of the police federation, Corporal Raymond Wilson, both welcomed the agreement and the opportunity to now focus on the implementation of the strategic review proposals which are aimed at making the force more professional.
