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The St. Catherine Parish Council is undertaking drain cleaning works in preparation for the 2006 hurricane season, which begins tomorrow (June 1). "To date, the St. Catherine Parish council has begun its drain cleaning programme with what funds we have from the Parochial Revenue Fund," said Mayor of St. Catherine, Dr. Andrew Wheatly. He told JIS News, that the parish...

After months of negotiations, the government and unions representing public sector workers have signed the second Memorandum of Understanding (MoU 2), which places a 20 per cent cap on wage increases for the 2006/08 fiscal year. Amounts in excess of the 20 per cent would have to be approved by the Ministry of Finance and Planning.The agreement, which covers the...

The island's tourist arrival figures are rising sharply, with the first 21 days of May showing a significant increase of 25 per cent over the same period last year. The increase in arrivals in May is a continuation of the growth momentum from the 2006 winter season, where 15.7 per cent more visitors came to the island over the similar...

Minister of Education and Youth Maxine Henry-Wilson has said that her ministry endorsed early childhood education as a major development priority, and as such, would launch a series of parenting seminars to involve parents in the learning process. "Early childhood education is a partnership between the school, the community and the private sector and the schools alone cannot do it...

Plans are advanced for the implementation of the second phase of the Technical, Vocational, Educational and Training (TVET) Rationalization project in 10 secondary schools in the corporate area, come September. The TVET Rationalization project is designed to equip secondary level students with the requisite industrial and business skills in order to facilitate their smooth transition into the world of work....

Minister of National Security, Dr. Peter Phillips, has said that the government was exploring various avenues to improve the welfare of members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, by improving the level of compensation and physical working conditions. Dr. Phillips, who made the announcement yesterday (May 30), as he opened the 2006/2007 Sectoral Debate in Gordon House, explained that improvements would...

Minister of National Security, Dr. Peter Phillips, has cited the existence of an appropriate legislative framework and an efficient, transparent, accessible and fair criminal justice system, as important elements in securing gains made in the fight against crime. Dr. Phillips, who opened the 2006/07 Sectoral Debate in Gordon House yesterday (May 30) said that also critical to the process, was...

National Security Minister, Dr. Peter Phillips has reported a "significant decline" in most major crime categories this year when compared to the corresponding period in 2005. Minister Phillips, who was delivering the opening presentation in the 2006/2007 Sectoral Debate in Gordon House on May 30, said murders have declined by 21 per cent in comparison to the previous year. He...

A new policy is to be promulgated to provide for more stringent vetting of individuals entering the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) at the basic level. Addressing a post-Sectoral Debate press briefing at the Ministry on Oxford Road in Kingston today (May 31) National Security Minister, Dr. Peter Phillips said the policy, which will guide the recruitment process, would ensure that...

National Security Minister, Dr. Peter Phillips has assured that the highest level of security would be provided for all visitors for the duration of the ICC World Cup Cricket 2007. He was addressing a post-Sectoral Debate press briefing at the Ministry's Oxford Road offices today (May 31). Dr. Phillips informed that a major focus of the efforts of the Jamaica...

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller said that the human rights of all Jamaicans must be protected, but that the protection of the rights of children is paramount. She was speaking to government lawyers assigned to the Attorney General's Chambers at their annual staff retreat held in Ocho Rios on the weekend. Mrs. Simpson Miller said Jamaica had achieved success in...

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has restated the government's support for the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF). She said the maintenance of a military force was a necessary insurance against threats to the country's sovereignty and viability. Mrs. Simpson Miller was speaking on Friday (May 26) at the annual Victoria Cross Dinner hosted by the Jamaica Defence Force at Up Park...