Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness to receive J$28.6 million salary

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness is now receiving a revised salary package in keeping with the Government’s public sector compensation review, which set the annual basic salary for the office at $28.6 million as of April 1, 2024.

The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) confirmed the development in a statement on Friday, noting that the decision followed internal consultations.

“After careful review and internal consultations, it was agreed that the prime minister should conform to the established emoluments and remuneration for the office,” the statement said.

Holness had previously declined the adjusted compensation in May 2023 amid public backlash over substantial salary increases for members of the political directorate. At the time, he indicated that he would continue collecting only one salary of $9 million annually despite holding several government roles.

According to the OPM, Holness had also signalled then that the matter could be revisited under a new mandate or by a future prime minister.

The office said the decision to implement the salary adjustment was taken last year after the governing Jamaica Labour Party secured a third consecutive term in government following the September 3 general election. Implementation was later delayed due to the impact of Hurricane Melissa, which struck the island on October 28.

Parliament has since been advised to effect the change as of September 2025. The move will also trigger corresponding adjustments for former prime ministers and their surviving spouses, whose pensions are tied to the salary of the sitting head of government.

Holness’ earlier decision to reject the increase had effectively frozen the salary level for past and future officeholders, including pensions for former prime ministers P. J. Patterson, Portia Simpson-Miller, and Bruce Golding.

The salary adjustments stem from a broader overhaul of public sector compensation, under which the prime minister’s pay moved from about $9.1 million in 2021 to $25.6 million in April 2023, before rising to $28.6 million in April 2024.

At the time he declined the increase, Holness said the move was meant to show that he understood the public concern over both the scale and timing of the increases. He also argued that the changes would place greater emphasis on performance and clearer job descriptions for political leaders.

Under longstanding Government of Jamaica practice, the prime minister receives only one salary, paid at the highest level of office held. Although Holness also serves as minister responsible for the Office of the Prime Minister, minister of economic growth and infrastructure development, and Member of Parliament for St Andrew West Central, he does not receive separate compensation for those roles.

While increases for cabinet ministers, members of parliament and councillors were implemented as proposed, the wider package sparked criticism from several groups, including the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association, the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, the Jamaica Teachers’ Association, the Jamaica Council of Churches, National Integrity Action, the Advocates Network, and the Jamaica Civil Service Association, many of which raised concerns about increases exceeding 200 per cent.

The Opposition People’s National Party later staged street protests against the adjustments. Opposition Leader Mark Golding did not reject the increase to his salary but said the additional funds would be directed to charity.