An additional 150 social workers are to be employed by the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) to meet the growing needs of the sector. This was announced by State Minister in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Robert Morgan, at the agency’s virtual quarterly press briefing on April 21. Mr. Morgan said this is part of...

The Judiciary of the Jamaica wishes to advise the public that the St. Ann Parish Court and its Brown’s Town Outstation will be closed today(Thursday, April 22, 2021) due to COVID-19. Further information on reopening will be provided in the coming days. Matters that were scheduled to be heard on Thursday and Friday, including matters before the Circuit Court, will...

Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) is reminding taxpayers that they have the added convenience of doing business with the Tax Authority this Saturday April 24, as it provides persons with more options to do business in light of the recently updated Disaster Risk Management Orders.  The following Tax Offices will operate this Saturday between the hours of 9:00am – 1:00pm: St....

It has come to the attention of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security that workers are concerned by memos purportedly issued by employers mandating that they be vaccinated or otherwise be asked to resign. While the Ministry of Health and Wellness is encouraging persons to be vaccinated against the Covid 19 virus, vaccination remains a personal choice. The Ministry...

Cabinet has given its approval for the award of a $2.187-billion contract to Allied Insurance Brokers Limited to provide insurance services for the National Housing Trust (NHT). Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Fayval Williams, who made the disclosure during a virtual post-Cabinet press briefing on Wednesday (April 14), informed that the contract is for one year, from April...

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) is to undertake a competitive bidding process to identify suitable providers of medical insurance and health logistics coverage for purchase by tourists who are visiting Jamaica. This follows Cabinet’s approval for the JTB to be the coordinating entity for the mandatory medical insurance coverage programme for visitors to Jamaica who hold foreign passports. Minister of...

Gross value added for the Jamaican economy declined by 8.3 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2020 when compared to the similar quarter of 2019. This was largely due to a decline in the Services Industries of 11.1 per cent. All industries within the Services Industries fell, with the exception of the Producers of Government Services which grew by...