The contract for former Managing Director of the HEART Trust/NSTA, Janet Dyer was not renewed, due to her approval of salary increases without authorization from the Finance Ministry.

That’s according to Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Audrey Sewell.

She made the revelation during yesterday’s (January 19) meeting of Parliament’s Public Administration and Appropriations Committee, PAAC.

Ms. Sewell explained that following the merger of HEART/NSTA with the Jamaica Foundation for Life-Long Learning, the National Youth Service and the Apprenticeship Board, an audit was conducted to re-classify employees by way of an organizational review.

She explained further that a report stemming from the organizational review was sent to the Finance Ministry, which used it to approve a salary scale for top tier employees.

However, Ms. Sewell said some months later, she was informed by the chairman of the HEART/NSTA Board, that the approved salary scale was not implemented, instead increases were applied in some instances.

The Permanent Secretary noted, that Ms. Dyer was held responsible for implementing the unauthorized salary increases.

Ms. Sewell cited professional reasons for not initially revealing to the public, the rationale for not renewing the former Managing Director’s contract.