Many contract workers now employed in the public sector will be made permanent employees. Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke, made the disclosure as he opened the 2023/24 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on March 7. He said that the objective is to address the longstanding abuse of fixed-term contracts in Government....

The Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) has reported an increase in the number of emergency calls responded to in 2022, when compared to the previous year. “Our overall responses totalled 16,696… an increase of 304 or two per cent,” said Commissioner, JFB, Stewart Beckford, during an interview with JIS News. Of the total number of calls received, 7,756 were genuine fire...

When completed, the Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH) will represent a modern facility that will provide a range of improved and expanded healthcare services for Jamaicans, says Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton. The completed project is expected to deliver a state-of-the-art 430-bed, 387,500sq. ft. reconstructed hospital. Providing an update on the progress of the work at...

Approximately one in every five drivers who use alcohol, operate a vehicle under the influence. This was one of the findings of a study, titled, ‘A Secondary Analysis of Alcohol Use and Driving While Intoxicated in Jamaica’. The study, which won the award for the Most Impactful Oral Presentation at the 13th Annual National Health Research Conference in November 2022...

Starting this September, beneficiaries of the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) who apply to the Students’ Loans Bureau (SLB) will not need guarantors to support their applications. This was announced by Finance and the Public Service Minister, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke, while opening the Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (March 7). Dr....

The Government will be establishing a $1-billion Jamaica Screen Fund to provide financing for the development and production of film and television (TV) shows in the country. Opening the 2023/24 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on March 7, Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. Hon. Nigel Clarke, said the Government will continue to support the growth...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Karl Samuda, will announce an increase in the minimum wage in April. This was disclosed by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke, as he opened the 2023/24 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives, on March 7. Dr. Clarke noted that the Government has always prioritised the...