The Employment Agencies Unit has continued to undertake routine inspection of private employment agencies to ensure compliance with the Employment Agencies Regulation Act as it seeks to place persons in overseas jobs. Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Mike Henry, says figures for the 2019/2020 fiscal year indicate that close to 7,000 Jamaicans were placed in overseas jobs, mainly...

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has placed emphasis on modernising the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) as part of a move to increase productivity and efficiency. “The scheme continues to provide financial protection to contributors and their families against loss of income arising from injury on the job, incapacity, retirement and the death of the insured,” Portfolio Minister, Hon....

British Airways’ announcement of new London Gatwick to Montego Bay flights, beginning October 13, is being hailed by local tourism stakeholders as a major step in Jamaica’s COVID-19 road to recovery. Highly regarded as one of the most popular European air carriers, the new flights will be operated by World Traveller, World Traveller Plus and Club World, and will depart...

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, says he has asked the Commissioner of Police to investigate and take the necessary actions against the operators of the Reggae Mill Restaurant and Bar for continued breaches of the Disaster Risk Management Orders. Reggae Mill, located at Devon House in St. Andrew, was earlier this month ordered closed for...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, on Thursday (July 23) officially handed over 20 new trucks to the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), which will improve garbage collection across the island. Speaking at the presentation ceremony at Jamaica House, Mr. Holness said that the Government is making capital investments in equipment that will improve service delivery and build...

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, says work on the final phase of the National Housing Trust (NHT) $200-million infirmary improvement project is “well under way”. Making his contribution to the 2020/21 Sectoral Debate presentation in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (July 21), Mr. McKenzie said construction of the new female ward at the Manchester...

The number of COVID-19 cases on record for Jamaica increased by five as at Thursday (July 23). The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases now stands at 821. Additionally, one more patient has been numbered among the recovered and released, bringing total recoveries to 711 (86.6% recovery rate). Four of the newly confirmed cases are classified as imported and the...