The National Commission for Violence Prevention is now developing a 10-year evidence-based National Action Plan, with recommendations for legislative changes and institutional building. The Plan will also include governance and best practices around a full national mobilisation to control and reduce violence as a feature of the society. Making his budget presentation in the House of Representatives on March 16,...

Farmers and other stakeholders are being encouraged to collaborate to explore the full potential of the local castor bean. Minister of State in the Ministry of Transport and Mining, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson, who made the call, said there is an opportunity to tap into the high demand for Jamaican Black Castor Oil, noting that the global market for the product...

The Government will be providing 10,000 black water tanks to needy households across Jamaica, starting in fiscal year 2023/24. Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, outlined details of the undertaking in his 2023/24 Budget Debate presentation in the House of Representatives on Thursday (March 16). He said focus will initially be placed on areas adversely affected by drought. “Households...

Effective June 1, 2023 the national minimum wage will increase from $9,000 to $13,000 per 40 hour work week. Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, made the announcement during his contribution to the 2023/24 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on Thursday (March 16). He said that the new rate represents a 44 per cent increase on the...

Effective July 1, the National Housing Trust’s (NHT) loan limit for a single applicant, will move from $6.5 million to $7.5 million, an increase of 15 per cent.  Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, made the announcement during his contribution to the 2023/24 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on Thursday (March 16).  Mr. Holness further informed that...

Effective April 1, Jamaicans will no longer be required to pay tuition or administrative fees for HEART-NSTA Trust programmes up to level four (associate degree), says Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness.   “This will allow for access to vocational training for all Jamaicans, regardless of economic status. This will be a game changer for poor, underserved youth, who see...

The Forestry Department will be collaborating with the National Works Agency (NWA) to plant trees along all new road projects islandwide.  Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, said the trees will soften the impact of the infrastructure works, improve the aesthetics of the areas, increase biodiversity and contribute to the reduction of the “heat island effect”, particularly within urban...