Jamaica promises teachers $90M in back wages

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The government of Jamaica has agreed to pay public school teachers more than $90 million in back wages over the next three years.

A Ministry of Labor statement says it will distribute $45 million next year and the remainder by 2012. No further details are available.

Teacher Association president Michael Stewart said Wednesday the union accepts the agreement in good faith and expects the payment schedule will not be changed.

Jamaica has more than 27,000 teachers who serve nearly 690,000 students. The union represents 20,000 of the teachers.