Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Rudyard Spencer, says negotiations are ongoing with the three per cent of public-sector workers who have not yet signed the wage agreement for the 2015-2017 contract period. Ninety-seven per cent of public-sector workers have already signed on to the Heads of Agreement for wage increase and improved...

A total of 594 public-sector workers benefited from $50,239,389 in education grants over the period April 2015 to March 2016. Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Rudyard Spencer, made the disclosure during his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on June 29. He informed that support was provided for...

During the FY2016/17 Budget presentation, the Hon. Audley Shaw, Minister of Finance and the Public Service, announced that the Income tax threshold would be increased from $592,800 to $1,000,272.00. This in effect means that all pensioners, P.A.Y.E. self-employed and other individuals would benefit from the increase which takes effect July 1, 2016, with a further increase to $1,500,096 on April 1, 2017. In...

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, says the Government has identified a number of strategic investment projects as it targets economic growth and job creation. The projects, which will be given priority attention over the next two fiscal years include privatisation of the Kingston Container Terminal and Norman Manley International Airport, and road infrastructure and tourism...

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, has charged directors of public-sector boards to hold staff to greater levels of productivity and efficiency. He said that increased productivity will put the country on the “path to prosperity”. “In every quarter, we have to stress the need for everyone to be more productive... if something can take one...

The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) will be hosting a meeting of the Advisory Group on Statistics, which will involve the participation of heads of agencies from other statistics offices in the region. The meeting, which is one of STATIN’s activities to celebrate its 70th anniversary, will be held at the agency’s head office at 7 Cecelio Avenue in Kingston...

Economic Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC) Co-Chair, Richard Byles, says the growth target set by the Economic Growth Council (EGC) is achievable. EGC Chairman, Michael Lee-Chin, said he is aiming to put Jamaica in a position to achieve annual growth of five per cent over the next four years. Addressing the EPOC’s monthly press briefing at Sagicor Life, New Kingston, on...