The government has begun wage negotiations with public sector workers.

The first meeting was held today (Aug 18) with the Jamaica Teachers Association (JTA), and comes months after teachers and other groups submitted wage claims to the Finance Ministry.

The ministry says it will next begin negotiations with the Jamaica Police Federation on August 28.

Public sector workers said, their members had become restless over the long delay in starting wage negotiations.

A statement from the Finance Ministry this afternoon said, State Minister for Finance and Public Service,  Rudyard Spencer,  met with the  JTA,  the negotiating body for  the over 20  thousand  registered teachers.

The meeting forms part of discussions toward ironing out the wage and benefits package, for the 2017/2019 contract period.

Mr. Spencer says, the government wants to have wage discussions wrapped up as soon as possible.

He highlighted the importance of the nation’s teachers as a pillar of socialization and academic training, and urged them to work with the government toward a mutually satisfactory position on the areas to be addressed.

Meanwhile, President of the Jamaica Teachers Association Howard Isaacs says the ministry’s response will be discussed at the upcoming conference and then a reply will be sent to the government.