Discussions are under way with various ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) regarding the development of stronger policies that will demonstrate the country’s commitment to the environment, including the integration of green spaces in urban areas. Minister of Housing, Urban Renewal, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., made the disclosure during a press conference on Wednesday (November 24) on...

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) is targeting domestic workers as it ramps up its public education campaign under the National Transition to Formality initiative. The programme is aimed at increasing National Insurance Scheme (NIS) coverage for specific groups of workers. It involves partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Jamaica Household Workers Union (JHWU). Director...

Jamaica continues to show positive signs of recovering from the economic fallout caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, after recording an estimated 6.3 per cent growth for the July to September quarter, relative to the corresponding period last year. Director General of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) Dr. Wayne Henry, said the services industry is estimated to have...

Teams of students from high schools across the island will engage in spirited discussion about online learning when they participate in the finals of the National Child Month Committee (NCMC) Debate Competition on Friday, November 26. The debate is the penultimate activity on the NCMC’s 2021 calendar of events. It will take place at the Institute of Jamaica (IOJ), 10-16...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is to begin implementation of aspects of the draft Jamaica National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). Speaking at a recent JIS ‘Think Tank’, Senior Veterinary Specialist in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MICAF), Dr. Suzanne McLennon-Miguel, pointed out that the plan came out of a call to action from a 2016 Caribbean...

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) is hosting a virtual hospitality job fair to fill several vacancies at a hotel in Trelawny. Director of the Electronic Labour Exchange (ELE), Lyndon Ford, told JIS News that there is an urgent need for skilled individuals and is encouraging persons living in the geographical location of Trelawny, St. James and St....

The Transformation Implementation Unit (TIU) is reporting a 95 per cent Service Level Agreement (SLA) rate since the commencement of the pilot for Human Resource (HR) Shared Services in March 2021. Human Resource  services are provided through the MyHR+ Shared Service Centre to four ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), namely, Office of the Services Commissions; the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship...