The Editor, Sir:

Registered nurses (RNs) in Jamaica are currently faced with some of the most severe hardships experienced by them over the last three decades.

This category of nursing personnel is the most highly trained of all staff involved in the nursing care of patients and assumes a major responsibility for 'quality patient care'. Yet, registered nurses in Jamaica are among the lowest paid in the CARICOM region.

An RN graduating from nursing school with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing currently receives a basic salary of about $48,000 monthly in Jamaica. This measly sum is equivalent to a mere US$540 monthly, compared with rates of five to eight times this amount in CARICOM countries such as Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Bahamas, and Barbados, among others.

HIGH EXPECTATIONS

Regardless of the measly sums that RNs are receiving as remuneration, they are expected to perform at the highest possible level. When things go wrong in the performance of their duties, there is usually no thinking regarding socio-economic factors which could adversely affect these nurses. Instead, these nurses are held accountable and brought under severe pressure to meet the required standards, despite the adverse conditions under which they perform their duties.

RNs in Jamaica have been seen agitating for improved salaries and other terms and condition of employment during the last five to six months. Such agitation has emerged from frustrations encountered during the reclassification exercise for health sector workers.

During the 1999/2000 reclassification of health sector workers (The Jones Report), RNs were discovered to be receiving significantly "below the equity line" (less than their jobs valued). Recommendations were made to pay these nurses according to their worth but such recommendations were not fully adhered to.

Following that reclassification exercise, RNs signed a three-year contract (2000-2003) which restricted their salary increase to three per cent in the third year while other groups were receiving significant increases.

In fact, RNs received a measly 15 per cent increase in salaries between 2000 and 2006 while inflation figures surpassed 62.9 per cent (according to STATIN) for the corresponding period.

During the 2006-2008 negotiations, the Government recognised that RNs were significantly underpaid and granted a reclassification to circumvent the parameters of the second public sector memorandum of understanding.

There has been much controversy regarding the job evaluations scores, particularly of RNs. Consequently, there has been a major setback in the implementation of the reclassified salaries. While the scores have financial values, everyone should understand that reclassification does not always result in salary increases. In fact, specific groups could be receiving more salary than their jobs value ("above the equity line") and would have their salaries frozen following a reclassification exercise.

While the nurses anxiously await a more reasonable and acceptable pay package, it is imperative that we all objectively examine the pros and cons involved. Indeed, the nurses should not be held to ransom.

I am, etc.,

NOEL JULIUS

jules2712@yahoo.com