Opposition Leader Mark Golding has again called for the government to roll back the massive wage increases to members of the political directorate amid growing public discontent. 

Speaking at a PNP press briefing on Wednesday, Mr. Golding again questioned how the government arrived at the increased figures. 

He reiterated his call for the government to reverse the increases and instead refer the matter to an independent panel of “reputable persons” who can “come up with a set of proposals that are rationally connected with where the country is now, how the people are suffering, equity in the public service and Jamaica’s economic performance relative to our peers”.

PNP General Secretary Dr. Dayton Campbell insisted the salaries of all Members of Parliament, including those of the opposition, should be rolled back. 

He referenced a statement from Minister with responsibility for Information Robert Morgan on Friday, in which he maintained that the government could not reverse the salary increases.

But pointing to the action of Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who on Monday announced that he would not be taking the increase, Dr. Campbell suggested that a roll back was indeed possible. 

“[The Prime Minister] has shown by his own actions that he can roll it back for himself, so we are asking for it to be rolled back for every single member of the political directorate,” he demanded. 

Dr. Campbell was also speaking at the PNP press conference on Wednesday.