Gov’t Continuing Steps to Safeguard Jamaica’s Labour Market

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security continues to institute safeguards to ensure Jamaica develops an inclusive, robust, and reliable labour market.

In line with the Government’s thrust to further lower the country’s record unemployment rate of 4.5 per cent, one of the many tools being used to link eligible workers with job vacancies is the staging of job fairs.

Since the start of fiscal year 2023/24 in March, the Ministry has hosted more than 25 job fairs islandwide, connecting qualified jobseekers with suitable employers.

Approximately 3,000 individuals have been interviewed, with approximately 1,000 securing employment up to September.

Director of the Electronic Labour Exchange at the Ministry, Lyndon Ford, told JIS News that in an effort to increase the prospects of persons securing employment, the Ministry also provides soft skills training opportunities.

These are facilitated through job readiness workshops to prepare jobseekers for employment opportunities.

“A lot of factors go into making sure the job fairs are successful for both the employers and potential employees,” Mr. Ford said.

He disclosed that for most of the job fairs, employers who are looking for certain skillsets will also participate in these workshops to prepare persons in, for example, how to dress and ways to deal with conflicts in the workplace.

A central component of the Ministry’s efforts to provide job opportunities is the national Labour Market Information System (LMIS).

This job-matching facility contains a database of qualitative and quantitative data collated from a number of labour market information producers.

“This information is disseminated freely online and is one of the key methods through which the Ministry helps to provide jobs for the most vulnerable groups in society, including Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) beneficiaries,” Mr. Ford pointed out.

He added that the Ministry provides support to PATH beneficiary household families with on-the-job training for persons indicating that they are seeking employment.

The Ministry also partners with community groups to engage at-risk youth in job-readiness sessions, especially those in the areas where the Zones of Special Operations (ZOSOs) are situated.

“We have been working with our community partners to facilitate certain interventions, by getting at-risk youth employment,” Mr. Ford said.

The LMIS is also user-friendly for members of the disabled community.

According to Mr. Ford, “They have liaised with the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities to ensure that persons with disabilities can access and manipulate this online platform to register and also attend job fairs.”

Jobseekers are being encouraged to take advantage of the Labour Ministry’s job fairs and expedite the recruitment process by registering online via the LMIS at www.lmis.gov.jm.

The Ministry has upcoming job fairs scheduled for Wednesday, November 29 at Gayle Civic Centre in St. Mary from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and on Thursday, November 30 at 1F North Street, Kingston, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 pm.

For more information on these fairs and other avenues to facilitate job opportunities, persons may call 876-676-5695 or visit www.mlss.gov.jm.