‘Shameful Deception’: Golding slams PM for accepting pay increase

Opposition leader Mark Golding has described as a “shameful deception” the recent announcement that Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness will, in fact, be receiving his $28.6 million salary, after indicating at first that he would not accept the additional increase.

Government ministers and parliamentarians received a whopping salary increase under the public sector compensation review of more than 200 per cent.

Signalling that the prime minister’s backtracking on the issue was not “worthy of the high office you hold”, Golding said during the 2025 general election campaign with its manifestos, debates and platform speeches, Holness did not hint at, “much less disclose, his intention to take the massive salary increase”, that he previously gave up following public backlash over the issue.

“That is the latest chop! A real Brogad move,” said Golding earlier today, as he made his presentation to the 2026/2027 Budget Debate in Gordon House.

At a press conference in May 2023, Holness declined his salary increase under the public sector compensation regime.

“I have directed the Transformation Implementation Unit to remove the Prime Minister’s compensation from the new salary scale. The Prime Minister’s compensation will, therefore, remain at its previous levels,” the prime minister said at the time.

“To be clear, no retroactive payments will apply to the Prime Minister’s pay,” he added.

However, in February this year, it was announced that the prime minister would, in fact, be receiving his pay hike effective September 2025.

A statement from Jamaica House said: "After careful review and internal consultations, it was agreed that the prime minister should conform to the established emoluments and remuneration for the office”.

Golding, in his presentation, criticised Holness’ decision to take the pay hike.

“As leaders, we must hold ourselves to a high standard, and should be quick to do the right thing by leaving the scene where transgressions come to light that are not compatible with clean and honest government. In Jamaica today, the reverse all too often prevails. Impunity rules the roost, as persons in positions of responsibility become serial transgressors, and it doesn’t seem to matter because nothing happens to hold them to account. We cannot build the nation that our people aspire to and deserve on such weak and wobbly ethical foundations.”

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