Pension Scheme for Tourism Workers Coming

The Ministry of Tourism is developing a Pension Scheme Policy as it seeks to ensure that workers have adequate social security upon retirement.
“The Ministry has, over the past year, sought to develop a mechanism for promoting the development of the tourism workforce through improved financial security,” stated portfolio Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, in his contribution to the 2010/11 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on Wednesday (April 14).
He informed that the Ministry, in partnership with the private sector, will implement an intensive campaign to promote participation of tourism employers and employees in a range of pension and retirement schemes.
“We do this because we want to ensure that a larger number of employees, including self-employed, will end up being covered under some retirement plan that will provide for them in old age,” Mr. Bartlett said.
Turning to other policy initiatives, the Minister said a new Water Sports Policy is being finalised to streamline and integrate the management of motorised and non-motorised water-based leisure sports.
He told the House that the move has become necessary due to the increase in the diverse range of water sports recreational activities and equipment now available in the sector.
A community-based tourism policy and strategy is being developed, while the final draft of the Time Share Concept Paper is being reviewed for submission to Cabinet by the end of 2010.
“In all areas of policy development and review of existing legislation, the relevant stakeholders and partners have been engaged in consultation to ensure that their recommendations are considered,” Mr. Bartlett said.
In the meantime, he informed that the Ministry is participating in the US$15 million Government of Jamaica/World Bank Rural Economic Development Initiative Project (REDI), which is being administered by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF).