Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., is urging persons with disabilities and their families to register with the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD), to access critical services, benefits and support available from the Government. Speaking at the first JCPD town hall meeting, held at Colonel Cove in Morant Bay, St. Thomas, on June 23,...

The House of Representatives approved the Minimum Wage (Industrial Security Guards) (Amendment) Order, 2026 and the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Order, 2026, on Tuesday (June 23), thereby increasing the minimum wage from $16,000 to $17,000 per 40-hour work week, effective July 1, 2026. In his remarks, Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., said since its enactment...

The Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD) aims to reach underserved communities in St. Thomas through its Townhall slated for Tuesday, June 23, 2026. To be held at Colonel's Cove in Morant Bay, St. Thomas, the event is expected to last from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. The Council’s Executive Director, Dr. Christine Hendricks, in an interview with JIS...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., has emphasised that Jamaica’s resilience in the face of several recent climate-related shocks has elevated productivity from a mere economic theory to a pillar of national survival. He outlined the devastation of Hurricane Melissa that caused approximately $1.95 trillion in damage (more than 50 per cent of Jamaica’s gross domestic...

Safeguarding Jamaica’s children from exploitation, particularly child labour, requires the active involvement of citizens, families, employers, and communities, says State Minister in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Donovan Williams. Speaking during the Ministry’s recent World Day Against Child Labour Jingle Competition Awards Ceremony at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston, Mr. Williams underscored that public vigilance...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. is appealing to members of the public to support the Good Samaritan 5K Run/Walk, geared at raising funds to procure a bus to support children with special needs. The bus, valued at over $6 million, will be used to transport Community-Based Rehabilitation Jamaica (CBRJ) staff as they visit various communities...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., has lauded the Jamaican Diaspora for its vital role in supporting the nation’s recovery following the passage of Hurricane Melissa. The Category Five hurricane made landfall on October 28, 2025, inflicting widespread damage across the western end of the island. Mr. Charles, whose Ministry chairs the Humanitarian Assistance Committee (HAC),...