The Government is moving to transition its post-Hurricane Melissa relief efforts from physical distribution to a voucher system by early in the New Year. Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Ambassador Dr. Rocky Meade, disclosed this during Wednesday’s (December 10) sitting of the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee of Parliament. He explained that, following the passage...

Cabinet has approved amendments to the Income Tax Act to facilitate a regime that allows for a non-taxable treatment of disaster relief honorarium made by employers to employees during periods in which a declaration of disaster has been issued. Cabinet also approved the issuing of drafting instructions to the Chief Parliamentary Counsel to give effect to the proposed regime. Minister...

 

The Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) has announced a temporary waiver of import permits for a wide range of medical and personal care items, a measure designed to accelerate hurricane relief operations and significantly reduce clearance times at the ports. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Commissioner of Customs, Dr. Velma Ricketts Walker, made the announcement during a recent virtual town hall...

The Students’ Loan Bureau (SLB) is providing support for students enrolled in tertiary institutions and customers across the parishes of St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Hanover, St. James and Trelawny, which were most severely impacted by Hurricane Melissa. Addressing Wednesday’s (December 3) Post Cabinet Press Briefing at Jamaica House on Wednesday (December 3), SLB Executive Director, Nickeisha Walsh, announced that grants valued...

The House of Representatives, on Tuesday (December 2) approved an Order permitting the temporary suspension of the fiscal rules for an initial period of one year as the country advances its recovery from the impact of Hurricane Melissa. Explaining the process for suspending the fiscal rules, Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Fayval Williams, noted that the Planning...

Applications are now open for the Students’ Loan Bureau (SLB) Debt Reset Programme, offering significant waivers for delinquent accounts and credits for those in good standing. The programme runs between December 1, 2025 and April 30, 2026. SLB Executive Director, Nickeisha Walsh, said the programme is an opportunity for students to reduce their loan balances, eliminate accumulated charges and establish...