A tough-talking Prime Minister Bruce Golding says his administration will not bend under pressure from threats of protest action by members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and workers at the National Water Commission.

"This administration will not be bullied," declared Golding.

"This Government is not going to be cowered, is not going to be yielding, and is not going to be genuflecting, simply because people believe they have a kind of power that can hold the country to ransom," the prime minister said.

"There are some tough challenges that we have to face and it's not going to be easy," Golding stated after the leadership of five groups representing the men and women of the police force on Friday hinted at likely protest action.

The police are angry over the Government's decision to include them in the public-sector groups subject to a wage freeze, as well as the failure of the finance ministry to offer any alternative arrangement.

On Friday, an obviously ready-for-battle Golding told a gathering, at J. Wray and Nephew's north complex on Spanish Town Road in St Andrew, that he would not allow the Government to be intimidated or threatened.

make arrangements

He disclosed that he had already directed the commissioner of police and the chief of defence staff to make arrangements for any eventuality.

The prime minister has also instructed the police commissioner to advise him of the steps to be taken if members of the police force withdraw their service.

Golding also declared that he was prepared to take the necessary action, "including calling on the people of Jamaica to fill any gap confronting the country", to lead the country through this rough passage.

Said Golding: "If there is any individual or any group that feels that their contribution to Jamaica's efforts and struggles at this time is to make this passage even harder than it is, then that is a decision that they will have to make."

wage freeze remains

On Friday, members of the Police Officers' Association, the Jamaica Police Federation, the Island Special Constabulary Force (ISCF) Association, the ISCF Officers' Association and the District Constables' Association met with officials of the finance ministry to press their case.

But Finance Minister Audley Shaw advised the groups that the wage freeze would remain in force for the security forces in line with the entire public sector, which includes central government and all its statutory bodies.

Shaw further told the groups that the Government had experienced a significant shortfall in revenue last year, a situation which will be even worse this year as a result of the global economic crisis and the resulting considerable fallout in revenue in Jamaica.

National Security Minister Dwight Nelson is expected to further present the Government's position in an address to the nation this evening.