Local manufacturers are being encouraged to explore the prospects of exporting valued-added Jamaican products to CARICOM member countries. This urging comes from Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., who says CARICOM presents potential opportunities as a nearshore export market. “You really should see the Caribbean as your oyster. As part of the CARICOM group, we have the...

The Senate, on Friday (October 28), approved the appointment of a Special Select Committee to review the Bail Act, 2022. The legislation, which will reform the bail framework in the criminal justice system, comprises 24 Clauses and four schedules. It will repeal and replace the existing Act of 2000. Committee members from the Upper House are Minister of State in...

The Jamaica Fire Brigade’s (JFB) Hanover Division hosted a fire safety session at the Noel Holmes Hospital in Lucea, Hanover on October 27. The session imparted fire safety information to several staff members of the facility through informative presentations carried out by the JFB. The event was held to commemorate the JFB’s Fire and Life Safety Awareness Week, which was...

The National Minimum Wage Advisory Commission (NMWAC) held the fourth in its series of public consultations at the Mandeville Hotel in Manchester recently. The sessions are aimed at garnering stakeholder feedback and suggestions, as the Commission seeks to review the rate for a national minimum wage and a minimum wage for industrial security guards. The minimum wage was last increased...

Beneficiaries of the New Social Housing Programme (NSHP) will now be guided by a social contract, outlining the initiative’s policies. “We have [added] a new feature to the programme, which is that the beneficiary will sign [this] contract. It’s a simple document, which outlines the duties and responsibilities of the beneficiary,” said Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness. He...

The country’s small farmers are to benefit from a National Learning Route, which will equip them will knowledge and skills to improve economic outcomes. The initiative is being undertaken by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in collaboration with the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD), and non-governmental organisation, Procasur. It is part of the Farmers’ Organizations for Africa, Caribbean,...

Minister of Education and Youth, Hon. Fayval Williams, is calling for collective action from education stakeholders to prevent armed violence in schools. She noted that while Jamaica has not had many incidents involving the use of firearms on school campuses, the reality of the threat posed by the use and presence of small arms is real. The Education Minister was...