Jamaica Announces Paternity Leave, Family Leave, and Extended Maternity Leave

Jamaica’s Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Marsha Smith, announced that paternity leave for fathers in the nation would come into effect on January 1st, 2023. She went on to announce a family leave for parents bringing an adopted child into their home. Smith also announced that the proposed extension of paid maternity leave from 40 days to three months would take effect on the same date. 

“This is an opportunity for other Jamaicans who have the capacity and the ability to take on fostering to foster a child. If you are a public servant, you are going to be given that opportunity to get those weeks to settle that child in before you go back to work fully. This is why we are trying to modernize the public sector in real ways to meet the ways of public servants, not just in terms of compensation but also in overall quality of life,” Smith said. 

Minister Smith made the announcement at the Civil Service Week Public Forum, which was held at The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. She spoke at the Forum, stating that the ultimate goal was to make sure public sector workers received remuneration that is competitive in local and international markets. She also made the announcement that the Jamaican government had reached an agreement with trade unions to restructure the public sector compensation system. Smith thanked the trade unions and encouraged those that had not signed the agreement with the government to do so.  

“For those who have not yet signed, I encourage you to do so. I am confident that this is a step in the right direction as we continue to change the various aspects of public sector transformation,” she said.