Friday, 6 March 2026

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Andrew Holness Earns Annual Salary of Over J$28.5Million

The Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness, earns an annual salary of approximately J$28.5million, making him one of the highest-paid political leaders in the Caribbean region. The salary is part of a broader compensation reform introduced by the Jamaican government to restructure pay for senior public officials and members of parliament.

Salary Structure for the Prime Minister

Under Jamaica’s public sector compensation review, the salary for the prime minister was significantly increased over several years. The plan outlined that the head of government would earn about J$28.5million annually in 2023, eventually rising to around J$28.6 million by 2024 as part of the final stage of the pay adjustment.  

The changes were introduced after decades in which salaries for political leaders had remained largely unchanged. Government officials argued that the new structure would bring political compensation more in line with the responsibilities of senior government roles.

Initial Refusal of the Pay Increase

Despite the approved salary increase, Holness initially refused to accept the higher pay in 2023 following public criticism. At the time, he chose to continue receiving his previous salary of roughly J$9.1 million per year, stating that he wanted to show solidarity with Jamaicans facing economic pressures.  

The decision came after many citizens questioned the timing of the large salary increases for politicians while public sector workers were still negotiating their own wages.

Later Acceptance of the Salary Package

After further consultations and the completion of the compensation review programme, the Office of the Prime Minister confirmed that Holness later accepted the official salary package attached to the office. As a result, the prime minister now receives the full compensation linked to the role, which is approximately J$28.6 million annually under the current structure.  

Government officials noted that the prime minister only receives one salary, even though he holds several responsibilities, including serving as minister responsible for the Office of the Prime Minister and Member of Parliament.  

Debate Among the Public

The salary increases for Jamaica’s political leaders sparked widespread debate across the country. Supporters argue that competitive pay is necessary to attract qualified leadership and ensure accountability. Critics, however, say the increases appear excessive when compared to the salaries of teachers, police officers, and other public servants.

Despite the controversy, the new compensation system remains part of Jamaica’s broader effort to modernise public sector pay and create a clearer structure for government salaries.

Attached is a news article regarding primer minster Andrew holness receives a annual wage of 25.8 million JMD 

https://www.caribbeantoday.com/sections/politics/prime-minister-of-jamaica-accepts-multi-million-dollar-salary

Article written and configured by Christopher Stanley 


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Dear 222 News viewers, sponsored by smileband,  Andrew Holness Earns Annual Salary of Over J$28.5Million The Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andr...