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Government Senator Lambert Brown has suggested that a review of the National Insurance Act has become necessary in order to give more power to the Minister to increase the benefits to contributors when required. He argued that it wasn’t necessary to ask Parliament for amendments to the Act to facilitate an increase as “these adjustments come very often given the...

A revised selection mechanism for the beneficiary identification system (BIS) under the Programme for Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH), will be submitted to Cabinet for approval shortly. This was disclosed by Labour and Social Security Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier, who informed that the new system “takes full note of some issues that were identified and seeks to make the...

Persons who make prank calls to the island’s emergency services could be asked to pay the cost of mobilising resources to respond. This was intimated by Deputy Superintendent of Police at the Community Safety and Security Branch of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), Stephanie Lindsay, at a JIS ‘Think Tank’, held on December 11. She was supported by Assistant Superintendent...

The Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO) has officially launched a Voluntary Copyright Registration System, which should result in increased financial benefits to the local creative industries. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Reginald Budhan, said the system, which is the first of its kind in the Caribbean, will not only facilitate the provision of independent proof...

Hundreds of residents from Westmoreland and surrounding parishes joined in prayer and worship for the country at the 20th Annual National Prayer Vigil held on Sunday (December 9) at the Wesley Methodist Church in Savanna-La-Mar. The event, held under the theme: ‘Justice, unity peace and healing,’ included inspirational singing, readings and dance presentations, while clerics from various denominations prayed for...

Immediate Past General Secretary of the National Union of Journalists in the United Kingdom (UK), Jeremy Dear, says practising ethical journalism is essential in addressing issues without prejudice, which will redound to the interest of the public. "Ethical journalism is right, not just because it acts in the public’s interest, but also because it is the way to build long...

Winners of the Public Sector Modernisation Division's (PSMD) Customer Service Competition 2012/13 will be announced by June 2013. Members of the public are being invited to vote for the public sector entity and individual that are delivering the best customer service. The deadline for receipt of all nominations is January 31, 2013. Consultant of the PSMD, Cabinet Office, Fabian Brown,...

Immediate Past Secretary, National Union of Journalists (UK), Jeremy Dear, is calling for improved pay and working conditions for members of the media profession. He made the call while addressing the Press Association of Jamaica’s (PAJ) National Journalism Awards banquet at the Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston on December 7. “An industry that wants the best must be prepared to...

Cabinet has approved a contract, valued at just under $46 million, to Bacchus Engineering Works Limited, for the replacement of the sewage pipeline, and the completion of infrastructure for the Fruitful Vale Water Supply Scheme in Portland.  Information Minister, Senator  the Hon. Sandrea Falconer, who made the announcement during the weekly Jamaica House press briefing at the Office of the...

Cabinet has given instructions to the Chief Parliamentary Counsel to begin drafting the National Insurance (Amendment) Act 2013. The Bill will then be submitted to Cabinet for its approval for tabling in Parliament. This was disclosed by Minister with responsibility for Information, Senator the Hon. Sandrea Falconer, during the weekly Jamaica House press briefing at the Office of the Prime...

Minister with responsibility for Information, Hon. Sandrea Falconer, has implored the country’s media associations to move with greater urgency to establish a Press Council, that will facilitate redress for persons claiming damage to their reputation as a result of news reports.     “It cannot be defensible that after 69 years of the Press Association of Jamaica and many years of...

Minister with responsibility for Information, Senator the Hon. Sandrea Falconer, is encouraging media practitioners to broaden the “search light” on corruption to include other powerful persons in the society. She stated that while she is not requesting that the media lessen its focus on politicians or the Government, they must also target powerful factions such as the private sector and...