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Head of the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch (PSTEB), Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Gary McKenzie, speaking during a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank.

Police Warn That Using Firecrackers Is Illegal

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is reminding the public that fireworks (pyrotechnics) and firecrackers remain illegal in Jamaica. Firecrackers, more commonly called ‘clappers’, are still sold during the Christmas period despite being illegal. Speaking with JIS News, Head of the...

Transport and Mining Minister, Hon. Robert Montague, addressing a land title handover ceremony at a Noranda Jamaica Bauxite Partners facility in Brown’s Town, St. Ann, on Tuesday (December 21).

Drivers Urged To Exercise Caution On The Roads

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, addressing a recent handover ceremony for the Universal Service Fund’s (USF) presentation of a cheque for $20 million to the Public Broadcasting Corporation of Jamaica (PBCJ) for the procurement of cutting edge equipment to establish a dedicated 24-hour television education channel. The presentation took place at the PBCJ in Kingston.

PM Praises PBCJ And USF

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke (second right), and Minister of State, Hon. Marsha Smith (centre, seated), sign the Heads of Agreement formalising the Government’s four per cent wage increase offer for April 2021 to March 2022, with executives of three of the six additional unions/bargaining units representing public sector workers, which have accepted the provision. From left are: Nurses Association of Jamaica (NAJ) President, Patsy Henry; Jamaica Medical Doctors Association (JMDA) President, Dr. Mindi Fitz-Henley; and Union of Clerical, Administrative and Supervisory Employees (UCASE) General Secretary, John Levy. The signing was held at the Ministry in Kingston on Wednesday (December 22). Overseeing the proceedings is the Ministry’s Principal Director for Employee Relations, Lorna Phillips.

Government To Proceed With Compensation Review

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, speaking during a COVID-19 Conversations press conference held virtually on Tuesday (December 22). (Donald De La Haye Photo)

Gov’t Working Towards More Face-To-Face Classes In The New Year

Minister of Finance and the Public Service Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke (centre), in discussion with Union of Clerical, Administrative and Supervisory Employees (UCASE) General Secretary John Levy (left), and Nurses Association of Jamaica (NAJ) President, Patsy Henry, following the signing of the Heads of Agreement, formalising the Government’s four per cent wage increase offer for April 2021 to March 2022, with six additional unions representing public sector workers that have accepted the provision. The signing was held at the Ministry in Kingston, on Wednesday (December 22). Photo: Yhomo Hutchinson

5 years ago Finance & Public Service

31 Unions Accept Government’s 4% Wage Increase

The number of unions representing public sector workers that have accepted the Government’s four per cent wage increase offer for April 2021 to March 2022, has risen to 31. This follows the conclusion of talks between the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service and six additional bargaining units, to bring the total number of public sector employees covered to...

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christpher Tufton, addresses a virtual COVID-19 conversation press conference on December 22.

5 years ago Coronavirus

Jamaica Preparing For Omicron

The Ministry of Health and Wellness is now preparing for a fourth wave of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which is expected be largely driven by the spread of the Omicron variant in the population. Speaking at the COVID Conversations press briefing on Tuesday (December 22), Portfolio Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, said it is projected that up to 2,000...

5 years ago CoronavirusHealth & Wellness

COVID-19 Update for Wednesday, December 22, 2021

NEW CASES 24 HRS OVERALL Confirmed Cases 53 92,279 SEX CLASSIFICATION Females 31 52,494 Males 22 39,782 Under Investigation 0 3 AGE RANGE 2 years to 83 years 1 day to 108 years PARISH CLASSIFICATION OF CASES Clarendon 0 4,946 Hanover 0 3,026 Kingston & St. Andrew 19 22,765 Manchester 3 6,004...

Regional Director with the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) Michael Bent (right), looks on while Chief Executive Officer of Cenitech Engineering Company, George Knight (centre), points out features of the upgrading work at the Chapelton Community Hospital in Clarendon. Occasion was a contract signing for the facility on Tuesday (December 21, at the SRHA’s head office in Mandeville, Manchester. Looking on at left is Manager for Clarendon Health Services, Joseph Grant. Photo: Donald De La Haye

5 years ago Health & Wellness

Multi-Million Dollar Upgrading For Chapelton Hospital

Major work is set to commence in early January, on the Clarendon-based Chapelton Community Hospital, following a $112 million contract signing for phase two of the upgrading and expansion project. The contract was signed yesterday Tuesday (December 21), by the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA), and Cenitech Engineering Company, at the SRHA’s head office in Mandeville, Manchester, where Member of...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Karl Samuda (second left) examines a point of sale machine from WiPay (Jamaica) Limited. Looking on (from left) are: Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Collette Roberts Risden; Chief Executive Officer (CEO), WiPay Jamaica Limited, Aldwyn Wayne; Charge D’affaires, Canadian High Commission, Audrey Loney; and United Nations World Food Programme Jamaica Office Lead, Segen Tewelde. The occasion was the launch of the COVID – 19 Cash Assistance programme at the Ministry on Tuesday (December 22).

5 years ago CoronavirusSocial Security

27,357 Jamaicans To Receive Cash Grants Under COVID-19 Assistance Programme

Approximately 27,357 Jamaicans will receive a one-off $16,000 payment under the COVID – 19 Cash Assistance programme. The $155 million cash transfer initiative, which was officially launched on Tuesday (December 22), is aimed at aiding poor and needy persons, who are not benefiting from Government social assistance. The United Nations World Food Programme, through the Canadian Government, provided a grant...

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Collette Roberts Risden is given a demonstration of the WiPay cash transaction system by Chief Executive Officer (CEO), WiPay Jamaica Limited, Aldwyn Wayne. The occasion was the launch of the COVID – 19 Cash Assistance programme on Tuesday (December 22).

5 years ago LabourSocial Security

Labour Ministry Urges Greater Take Up Of Social Pension Programme

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security is appealing for more senior citizens to apply for benefits under the Government’s Social Pension Programme. Launched in July of this year, the $800 million programme provides a guaranteed income for vulnerable persons 75 years and older. Seniors targeted are those not currently in receipt of a pension, disability benefit or other retirement...

Minister of Housing, Urban Renewal, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr.

5 years ago Housing

Squatter Management Policy Heads To Cabinet In January

The second draft of the National Squatter Management Policy is to be submitted to Cabinet by the end of January 2022, along with the implementation plan and budget. This follows the conclusion of stakeholder consultations on the first draft of the policy on December 14. This is according to data provided by a Ministry of Housing, Urban Renewal, Environment and...