JMDA President Dr. Jubilee Brown Service, JMDA General Secretary Dr. Fabian Blake and trade unionist Lambert Brown
The Jamaica Medical Doctors’ Association (JMDA) has warned of potential disruptions to the public health care system if the Industrial Disputes Tribunal (IDT) fails to make a ruling on its case by Friday October 2.
The association has been pressing the IDT to make an award of $31 billion in back money for overtime, while the government’s calculation for retroactive overtime payment for the doctors is $23 billion.
Earlier this month, the JMDA stated that it would give the IDT more time to hand down a decision while expressing frustration with the long delay.
The JMDA is demanding that the IDT provide a clear explanation for the delay, a firm timetable for a decision and an independent ruling based on evidence presented to the tribunal.
JMDA President Dr. Jubilee Brown Service outlined the association’s position at a press conference at the Medallion Hall Hotel in St. Andrew on Tuesday morning.
“The Jamaica Medical Doctors’ Association remains resolute in our position. We’ve worked for the past 42 months, long hours in some of the most adverse conditions in resource-deficient facilities with poor accommodations and high doctor-patient ratios. We’ve worked, we deserve to be paid, we deserve a ruling. Our patience has been exhausted, and so today, we are stating publicly that if there is no ruling by Friday October 2, 2026, the Jamaica Medical Doctors’ Association cannot guarantee normalcy within the health sector across the island,” she warned.
Dr. Fabian Blake, General Secretary of the JMDA, said the case was completed on April 1, 2026 and more than 170 pieces of evidence were presented. He said the delay is unacceptable and raises serious questions about accountability, transparency and timely administration of justice in industrial disputes.
“Workers should not be left in prolonged uncertainty when financial pressures mount and their bargaining position is weakened. Patience must not become a substitute for justice and the delay must not become a tool that undermines workers’ claims. The concern is even more urgent for us as essential service workers whose rights to take industrial actions are restricted by law. The restraint required of these workers must be matched with urgency, transparency and accountability for the institution’s responsible and resolving their disputes.”
“The law provides for an award within 21 days of referral or, where that is impracticable, as soon as practicable. We recognise that complex matters require careful consideration, but careful consideration cannot become indefinite silence and procedural delay cannot be allowed to erode workers’ rights. A fair system must work for everyone,” Dr. Blake argued.
Trade unionist Lambert Brown, who represented the doctors, complained that doctors are currently being paid using 2021 overtime rates, adding that this is why they are “upset and frustrated and believe that their cups have overflowed and it’s time for the award to come out or the doctors need to take a stance.”
In the meantime, the trade unionist noted that while the case is straightforward, physicians have campaigned for two and a half pay for more than 50 years.
Mr. Brown said he believes interference is responsible for the delay.
“There are a lot of busybodies around, some who believe that, oh, the government didn’t put up a strong case but see what you can do for the government because there may be national interest issues and the government can’t afford it,” he surmised.