The Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ) is working to strengthen the country’s disaster resilience by training more stakeholders to ensure compliance with updated building codes. Building codes are standards and regulations referenced in the Building Act, 2018 and implemented through the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development. Director of Standards at the BSJ, Julia Bonner Douett, informed during a...

State Minister in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Dr. the Hon. Norman Dunn, is warning employers not to engage persons under the age of 18 years to work in their establishments. Section 34 of the Childcare and Protection Act (CCPA) criminalises child labour. Under the Act, a fine not exceeding $500,000 or a term of imprisonment not exceeding...

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is encouraging farmers to improve their disaster management practices, in light of recent earthquake activity jolting Jamaica. RADA Livestock Specialist, Maxine Brown, says general disaster management practices can be used to reduce damage caused by earthquakes, hurricanes, heavy rains and flooding. “After a natural hazard, farmers should make sure that they… and their families...

As tourism continues to be one of the main engines of economic growth, with record arrivals and earnings, it is important that Jamaicans feel the benefit of the sector’s success, says Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness. Mr. Holness, who was speaking at the recent opening of the new US$40-million Hideaway at Royalton Blue Waters, Trelawny, said “the man...

The Ministry of Health & Wellness wishes to advise that the Pfizer vaccine is now available in Jamaica. The country received a donation of 45,000 doses of the vaccine from the US Government on December 13, 2023. This donation of vaccines will be available to all members of the public for both initial vaccination and booster doses. Persons are encouraged...

Consumers are being urged to be extra vigilant when purchasing items from unknown sources this Christmas season. The advice was issued by Director of Communications, Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC), Latoya Halstead, at a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank held on Thursday (December 14), at the agency’s head office in Kingston. Ms. Halstead said that as consumers go shopping for...

Plans are under way to expand the country’s animal tagging programme to include small ruminants. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, provided an update on the National Animal Identification and Traceability System while piloting the Agricultural Produce (Amendment) Act, 2023 in the Senate, recently. As a means of combatting praedial larceny, the Government...