Athaliah Reynolds, Staff Reporter

The more-than-200 immigration officers employed to the Government of Jamaica are distressed over recent discussions to cut their mileage benefits.

In light of a recent wage freeze imposed on civil servants last month, as well as the anticipated increases related to a hike in the Special Consumption Tax on petroleum, the workers are arguing that they cannot cope with the reduction.

Immigration officers employed to the Passport, Immigration and Citizen Agency (PICA), within the Ministry of National Security, are required daily to travel from their base on Constant Spring Road in St Andrew to the Norman Manley International Airport, as well as to the other ports across the island.

They are reimbursed $30 per kilometre for travelling expenses, in addition to vehicle upkeep.

The Gleaner understands that it was announced in a meeting on April 22 by PICA Chief Executive Officer Jennifer McDonald that this benefit would be cut in order to save the agency money.

Cost-cutting measures

However, in an email response to questions posed by The Gleaner Monday, McDonald skirted around the issue, claiming the agency has been examining a number of cost-cutting measures but no decision had been made.

"These measures include examining the possibility of reallocating funds to cope with the budgetary shortfall," the email said.

She said PICA was also conducting a series of consultations with staff, which have already started and will continue.

McDonald said she and the permanent secretary would be meeting with staff at both international airports this week.

"The purpose of the consultations is to discuss the budgetary provisions and to craft measures to further improve the operational efficiency of the agency and to save jobs," she said.

However, immigration officers are adamant that they would not cooperate with a cut to their travel benefits.

"We are definitely opposed to it," said one immigration officer who spoke to The Gleaner on condition of anonymity. "We are considering a go-slow or something but we cannot go along with that proposal."

The officers argue that many of them rely heavily on the reimbursement to pay for gas and maintain their vehicles, as they are often required to travel long distances to carry out their duties.

Wayne Jones, president of the Jamaica Civil Service Association, said he was unaware of such discussions. He said the only talks he is aware of are ongoing discussions surrounding the base for immigration officers.

"Discussions have always been taking place, for many years, whether the base should be the head office or if it should be the port," he said.

This would eliminate the need for a travel expense, as the immigration officers would no longer be required to travel from the Constant Spring headquarters to the ports.

athaliah.reynolds@gleanerjm.com