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Director of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), Portia Magnus. (FILE)

Domestic Workers Entitled to Eight Weeks’ Maternity Leave

Domestic workers can claim for maternity leave allowance for a maximum period of eight weeks. Director of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), Portia Magnus, told JIS News in a recent interview that the provision, under the National Insurance Act of...

Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator, the Hon. Ruel Reid. (FILE)

Rural PATH Students to Benefit from School Transportation

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw (at the podium), addresses the launch of the National Financial Inclusion Strategy and introduces the National Financial Inclusion Council at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston, yesterday (March 29). At right is Governor, Bank of Jamaica, Brian Wynter

Government Puts Forward National Financial Inclusion Strategy

Acting Commissioner of Police, Novelette Grant (4th left, front row), shares a photo opportunity with young participants in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) IPAD Youth Empowerment and Mentorship Camp programme, and prospective sponsors and other stakeholders. Occasion was a breakfast meeting at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in St. Andrew on March 29 to engage corporate society to support the initiative aimed at providing social intervention for youth.

Public and Private Sector Entities Pledge Support to JCF Youth Camp

Reading teacher and Vice Principal, at the Mocho Primary and Infant School, Curdell Bryan-Thomas (centre), demonstrates to Peer Counsellor, Jerome Greyson (right), and Chairman of the school Board, Ainsworth Kelly (left), an area of the school which promotes the institution’s strong literacy programme.

Mocho Primary Students Benefit from Literacy Programme

The 123-year-old St. Joseph’s Infant School, located in downtown Kingston.

9 years ago Education

St. Joseph’s Infant Seeks Support to Meet ECC’s Operating Standards

Principal of the 123-year-old St. Joseph’s Infant School, located in downtown Kingston, Rosemarie Clarke, is seeking support to enable the institution to attain the Early Childhood Commission’s (ECC) 12 operating standards. It has, so far, attained 77 per cent of the requirements for certification, but now needs help to meet the other 23 per cent, which covers building renovation, hiring...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, makes his contribution to the debate on the Pensions (Public Service) Act 2016 in the House of Representatives on March 28.

9 years ago Prime MinisterSocial Security

Gov’t to Introduce Voluntary Retirement Programme

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says a new programme will be introduced in the 2017/18 financial year for persons opting for early retirement. “I think I should stress that this is a voluntary programme. We’re going to encourage persons to take it. It is not a compulsory programme,” he said, noting that the move represents an overall strategy...

9 years ago

Benefits for Workers Injured on the Job

Workers injured on the job are entitled to several benefits under the National Insurance Act. Director of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), Portia Magnus, told JIS News that the benefits are activated when employees sustain injuries or get ill while carrying out their duties. Among the payable benefits are employment injury; employment injury death, and employment injury disablement pension. “We...

In this file photo, Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton (left), leads a mini march outside Gordon House, downtown Kingston, in June 2016, to promote the Government’s ‘Jamaica Moves’ (#JaMoves) national campaign.

9 years ago Health & Wellness

‘Jamaica Moves’ to Launch on April 7

Members of the public are invited to attend the launch of the Ministry of Health’s ‘Jamaica Moves’ (#JaMoves) campaign on April 7 at Emancipation Park, New Kingston. The national initiative will feature free health checks as well as activities to promote the benefits of healthy diet and exercise. The Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) will be providing a shuttle service...

Chief Justice, Hon. Zaila McCalla (centre), presents Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Paula Llewellyn (left), with a copy of Jamaica’s Criminal Bench Book, at its recent launch, held at the Spanish Court Hotel, in New Kingston. At right is Chairman of the book committee, Appeal Court judge, Hon. Justice Patrick Brooks.

9 years ago Justice

Chief Justice Hails Criminal Bench Book

Chief Justice, Hon. Zaila McCalla, is hailing Jamaica’s Criminal Bench Book as a legal resource to strengthen the process of judges’ summations to juries in criminal cases. The recently published book seeks to aid trial judges in directing juries in Circuit Court trials, and contains brief summaries of commonplace areas of law encountered in criminal cases. Also in the book...

Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton (second right); President, Guardian Life Limited, Eric Hosin (left); President, Guardian General Insurance Jamaica Limited, Karen Bhoorasingh (second left); President of the People’s National Party, Dr. Peter Phillips (centre) and Senior Lecturer and Head Anaesthetist, Intensive Care, University Hospital of the West Indies, Dr. Hyacinth Harding Goldson hold a symbolic cheque valued $15.5 million that will be used to benefit four hospitals across the island. Occasion was the official launch of the Guardian Group Foundation Keep it Alive 5K runs at the Guardian Life offices at 12 Trafalgar Road in Kingston, today (March 28). Others sharing in the moment (background left) are Chief Executive Officer, St. Ann’s Bay Hospital, Leo Garel; Senior Administrator, Cornwall Regional Hospital, Keriesha Bell Cummings; and Operations Manager at the Mandeville Regional Hospital, Marcia Francis. The race dates for this year are Saturday, May 27 in Kingston and Saturday, June 3 in Montego Bay.

9 years ago Health & Wellness

Health Ministry Promotes Lifestyles that Focus on Preventative Care

Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, says the Ministry is promoting healthy lifestyles that focus on preventative and curative healthcare. The Minister was speaking at the official launch of the fourth staging of the Guardian Group Foundation 5K Night Run at Guardian Life offices at 12 Trafalgar Road in Kingston yesterday (March 28). “Oftentimes, the debate is around...

Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon Christopher Tufton (right), is assisted in unveiling the Blood Donors Honour List by Jamaica’s Champion Blood Donor, Sonya Binns-Lawrence (2nd left), at the opening ceremony of World Blood Donor Day 2016. The event was held at Emancipation Park on June 14, 2016. The Honour List recognises blood donors who have given more than 50 units of blood. Also participating in the event are (from left) Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative in Jamaica, Dr. Noreen Jack; Director of the National Blood Transfusion Service, Dr. Veronica Taylor; and Director, National Laboratory Services, Dr. Angela Scott.

9 years ago Health & Wellness

Champion Blood Donor Believes in Giving Back

Sonya Binns-Lawrence believes in giving back to her country, and she has found a way to make a significant contribution. She is Jamaica’s champion blood donor, going in to the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) four times per year (the maximum allowable). Mrs. Binns-Lawrence tells JIS News that her first experience with donating blood was in 1983 when she was...