Debate on a Bill to reform arrangements of the public-sector pension scheme began in the House of Representatives yesterday (March 15). The Bills are the Pensions (Public Service) Act, 2016 and The Constitution (Amendment) (Established Fund) (Payment of Pension) Act, 2016. In his opening remarks, Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, said over the years the...

The Jamaica Library Service (JLS) is hailing the Global Libraries ICT Project as a major success, as it has significantly transformed public libraries across the island through increased access to technology. The project, dubbed ‘JLS: Using Technology to Empower Individuals and Communities for Development’, is funded by a US$2-million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Global Libraries Initiative,...

The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange has given the following statement on the passing of the Executive Director of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, Dr Delroy Gordon. Minister’s statement follows: “It is with profound sadness that I learned of the passing of a great member of our Ministry’s family: the Executive Director of the...

The Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, the Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. has announced the Government’s flagship programme to rehabilitate youth offenders and high-risk young people in correctional institutions. Speaking at a JIS Think Tank yesterday (March 15), Minister Charles said the ‘We Transform Youth Empowerment and Rehabilitation Programme’ is designed to equip young people in correctional...

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, is urging commercial banks to find innovative ways to improve access to financing in order to aid in advancing the country’s growth agenda. He said this should include “taking firm and decisive steps” to provide low-interest loans to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the productive sector of the...

All Government websites can now be accessed free of cost from any Internet-compatible device. This has been announced by Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Dr. the Hon. Andrew Wheatley, who noted that “all 256 government websites are (now) zero-rated”. This means that persons can browse these sites without incurring Internet service charges. “Once you have connection, whether through a...

The Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) and the University of Technology  (UTech) have signed an agreement that will result in the corporation providing $5 million to bolster research and development as well as to fund a scholarship in engineering and energy at the university. One million dollars will be made available through grant funding to underwrite the cost of the...