Several crucial issues among them public sector wage negotiations will dominate Cabinet agenda over the next three days.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness is set to lead the Cabinet into a three-day retreat beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, January 10.

A statement from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) says Prime Minister Holness and members of his Cabinet will discuss several important national matters.

These include the ongoing public sector wage negotiations, issues of national security and safety, economic growth, as well as plans for the 2018/2019 budget.

The retreat is scheduled to take place at the Office of the Prime Minister in Kingston.

Trade unions representing public sector workers are anxiously awaiting the outcome of the Cabinet deliberations having rejected the six percent increase being offered.

Meantime, the island’s teachers are cautiously optimistic, after cabinet favourably considered their fringe benefits claim.

Jamaica Teachers Association President, Georgia Waugh Richards, says she was contacted by Prime Minister Andrew Holness prior to the 5:00 pm deadline yesterday, given to respond positively to the wage issue.

In an interview with Irie FM News, Mrs. Waugh Richards says Mr. Holness asked that the teachers hold strain on the percentage increase on wages being requested, as the matter would be further discussed at the cabinet retreat.

Meantime, she says further discussions were held last night between the JTA and government technocrats, who advised of Cabinet’s decision concerning the non-monetary items.

Mrs. Waugh Richards says the talks have advanced, and she will update her membership in due course.