Following public outcry, Prime Minister Andrew Holness has given up his massive salary increase that would have seen his pay balloon to $28.6 million in April 2024.

Instead, he will remain at his current salary of roughly $9 million and will not therefore receive any retroactive payments.

Holness made the announcement Monday evening in a lengthy press conference at Jamaica House where he defended the salary increases for Cabinet ministers and parliamentarians.

However, the prime minister said he understands the sentiments that politicians should identify with the suffering of the people.

Holness also outlined that parliamentarians will now be subjected to job descriptions, a code of ethics, and must undergo training in parliamentary procedures.

Last Friday, Opposition Leader Mark Golding announced that he would be giving up 80 per cent of his 240 per cent salary increase that would have seen his pay jump to more than $25 million by next April, to charitable causes.

The huge salary increases – in some cases, by more than 200 per cent – for politicians have been met with widespread backlash since they were announced in Parliament by Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke last week.

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