THERE IS growing unease among teachers in the education sector as reports surface that retroactive money which is due for payment this month may not be paid.

Finance and Public Service Minister Audley Shaw told The Gleaner yesterday that he could not comment on the matter at the time.

Shaw said the ministry would meet with officials from the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) before making any disclosures.

The JTA said it was yet to hear from the ministry regarding retroactive payments for the island's more than 22,000 public-sector teachers.

"We have not had any word from them but we are expecting them to respond to us positively," said Doran Dixon, president of the JTA.

Asked what the JTA would do if the Government failed to deliver on its promise, Dixon replied, "We are not calling any wolf yet, when we say wolf, there is a wolf in the house."

Agreed 15% wage increase

Shaw told the Standing Finance Committee of Parliament on Tuesday that no more than about two groups would be granted an agreed 15 per cent wage increase for the 2008-2009 financial year.

He said an amount had been allotted in the contingencies side of the Budget to accommodate an increase for nurses.

Shaw insisted that this fiscal year, the Government would have to "batten down" in terms of wage cost.

"It is generally known that a wage freeze is on the table for fiscal year 2009-10. This freeze is indicated in this Budget," Shaw explained.

edmond.campbell@gleanerjm.com,petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com