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The Minimum Wage Advisory Commission has been asked to conduct the necessary consultations and make recommendations for change, where possible, in the national minimum wage. This was announced by Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, during his contribution to the 2013/14 Sectoral Debate on Tuesday, June 4, in the House of Representatives. Mr. Kellier reaffirmed the Government’s...

Jamaica is the lead country in a Caribbean-wide project, aimed at developing programmes and strategies to address educational underachievement in boys. The initiative, dubbed ‘Advancing the Education of Boys’, is being undertaken as a pilot in Jamaica and three other Caribbean countries through funding and expertise from the Commonwealth Secretariat. It is expected to last for last three years. It...

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security is currently exploring the possibility of implementing a tiered work permit fee structure, in a bid to streamline the issuance process. Making the disclosure during his contribution to the 2013/14 Sectoral Debate in the House on June 4, Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, said the proposed structure, along with...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, says every effort will now be made to ensure that Flexible Work Arrangements become a reality in the country. He informed that a Ministry Paper will be tabled shortly and drafting instructions issued to the Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel, to facilitate the requisite legislative amendments. Mr. Kellier was making...

A total of 11,138 Jamaicans benefitted from job opportunities under the Overseas Employment Programme during 2012/2013. This was disclosed by Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, during his contribution to the 2013/14 Sectoral Debate in the House, on June 4. [RELATED: Industrial Relations Landscape Remains Stable] Of the number, some 3,269 workers were placed in the United...

A Ministry of Labour and Social Security-led project, under the Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP), is be piloted in two communities at a cost of US$1.2 million. Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, explains that the objective of the Project is to demonstrate and develop a model for rural road construction and maintenance, and erosion control. [RELATED:...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, says the industrial relations landscape remains stable, despite an increase in the number of disputes reported. This, he says, has been due to the Ministry’s ability to adequately address and resolve the issues. “Despite some increase in the number of reported cases, I am happy to report that the Ministry has...

Jamaica’s trade deficit narrowed by 0.3 per cent at the start of the year to US$401 million. The figure represents a US$1.2 million improvement over the US$402.2 million recorded for the corresponding period in January 2012. In terms of trade within the CARICOM region, the deficit was reduced by US$11.2 million or 18 per cent to US$51 million, down from...

The Government will continue to ensure the viability of the National Insurance Fund (NIF), by focusing on development projects, which are consistent with its growth strategy. Some of these investments include: Development of several National Insurance Scheme (NIS) properties across the island; a US$15 million development of Braco Resorts, as part of the continued thrust in the tourism sector; and...

A total of 28 proposals have been submitted to the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) for the development of projects aimed at generating up to 115 megawatts (MW) of energy from renewable sources. The submissions, from 20 local and overseas companies, were revealed during a public opening of bid documents on Monday, June 3, at the OUR’s New Kingston offices,...

Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) has introduced new measures for persons or organizations seeking to obtain a Taxpayer Registration Number (TRN). These measures, which are geared toward ensuring greater client data safety, became effective on June 1. Communications Officer at TAJ, Leighton Beckles, told JIS News that new applicants are now required to submit a verified photograph with every application. This...

The National Certification Body of Jamaica (NCBJ) will be conducting an awareness session and workshop to highlight changes and revisions made to environmental requirement standards under which companies, manufacturers and exporters must operate. The session, which is scheduled for Wednesday, June 5, at the Bureau of Standards, 6 Winchester Road, Kingston, will specifically address the International Standardization Organization/International Electrotechnical Commission(ISO/IEC)...