An additional $1 billion is to be dedicated to rural water systems for the upcoming 2024/2025 Financial Year. Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, made the announcement during his contribution to the 2024/25 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on March 21. Mr. Holness said the significant investment is intended to meet the need for the resource by...

The national minimum wage will be increased from $13,000 to $15,000 per 40-hour work week, effective June 1, 2024, representing a 15 per cent increase. Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, made the announcement during his contribution to the 2024/25 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives, on March 21. “We had also signalled last year that we intended...

The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) is assuring that global best practices are being utilised to address the challenges arising in the 2022 Population and Housing Census, which is ongoing. Speaking during a press conference on Thursday (March 21), Director General, Carol Coy, described developments relating to Jamaica’s 15th Census as “unprecedented”. While the introduction of tablet computers has been...

High-school science teachers preparing students to sit the Caribbean Examinations Council assessments are being encouraged to utilise the Scientific Research Council’s (SRC) online resources. Executive Director of the SRC, Dr. Charah Watson, told JIS News that educators can access a stock of useful content on its channel on the popular social media platform, YouTube. Among the content available is the...

The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) has launched a National Poverty Reduction Leaving No One Behind (LNOB) Toolkit. It is intended to build the capacity of poverty reduction stakeholders, strengthen service delivery to the poor and vulnerable and increase partnership, collaboration and information sharing. Addressing Thursday’s (March 21) launch at the University of the West Indies Regional Headquarters in St....

Jamaicans and Indian nationals will celebrate Holi Festival at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Old Hope Road, Kingston 7, on Sunday, March 24. Holi is an annual Hindu Festival of Colours, celebrated in India and across the world to welcome the Spring season. This year, the festival falls on Monday, March 25; however, it will be celebrated in Jamaica on Sunday,...

The role of professional social workers is crucial as Jamaica strides along the path towards attaining its goals under Vision 2030, says Minister of State in the Labour and Social Security Ministry, Dr. the Hon. Norman Dunn. Speaking at the International Social Care Services Social Work Conference, held on March 19 at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in St. Andrew,...