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Contestant in the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission's (JCDC) 2026 Kingston and St. Andrew Festival Queen Competition, Shanti Britton, reads scripture lesson during the Parish Workers’ Week and Labour Day Thanksgiving Service at Our Lady of the Angels Roman Catholic Church in Kingston on Sunday (May 17)

PHOTOS: Parish Workers’ Week & Labour Day Thanksgiving Church Service

Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Andrew Swaby, addresses a recent meeting of the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC).

KSAMC to Spruce Up Franklin Town Primary, Sir William Grant Monument on Labour Day

Chief Technical Director in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Gillian Corrodus.

Workers’ Week 2026 Being Observed From May 17-25

Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Dione Jennings.

Ministry of Labour and Social Security Partners with ITEL to Host Job Fair

A jobseeker completes an application form at a previous job fair hosted by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

Ministry of Labour to Host Job Fair on April 23

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (second left), in conversation with Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Commander Alvin Gayle (right); President of the Jamaica Red Cross Society (JRCS), Allasandra Chung (second right), and Secretary-General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Jagan Chapagain. The interaction took place during the JRCS Hurricane Melissa Recovery Conference, held at the S Hotel in Kingston, on Tuesday (April 21).

4 weeks ago LabourSocial Security

Minister Says Jamaica at Pivotal Stage of Recovery

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., says Jamaica is at a pivotal stage in its recovery from Hurricane Melissa, as the Government is transitioning from emergency response to sustained recovery and long-term resilience. Delivering the main address at the Jamaica Red Cross Society (JRCS) Hurricane Melissa Recovery Conference, held at the S Hotel in Kingston on...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., addresses Wednesday’s (April 15) Post-Cabinet Press Briefing at Jamaica House.

1 month ago LabourSocial Security

Over 113,000 Post-Hurricane Household Damage Assessments Completed

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has, so far, conducted 113,565 household damage assessments following Hurricane Melissa. Of this number, 17,826 households were found to be severely damaged, 42,586 sustained major damage, and another 41,079 experienced minor damage. These were deemed eligible for benefits under the Government’s Shelter Recovery Programme (SRP). This was disclosed by Portfolio Minister, Hon. Pearnel...

1 month ago LabourSocial Security

Government Disburses $9.5 Billion to Beneficiaries of ROOFS Programme

The Government has disbursed $9.5 billion in grants to beneficiaries of the Restoration of Owner or Occupant Family Shelters (ROOFS) programme. ROOFS is part of the overall Shelter Recovery Programme (SRP) and has been allocated an initial $10 billion to assist households assessed as having sustained minor, major, or severe damage from Hurricane Melissa. “We have completed the payments to...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (right), greets beneficiary under the Restoration of Owner or Occupant Family Shelters (ROOFS) programme, Winston Israel, during a ROOFS outreach at George Kirby

1 month ago LabourSocial Security

ROOFS Programme Spurs Economic Activity in Communities

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr, says that the Restoration of Owner or Occupant Family Shelters (ROOFS) programme is creating an economic stimulus in communities. He noted that hardware stores are reporting an increase in business, prompting them to take on additional staff, community members are being engaged as labourers, while there is a transfer of...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., delivers the keynote address at the launch of the Government of Jamaica’s Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme (GOJ/SAWP) Scholarship, held on Tuesday (March 31) at the Ministry’s Overseas Employment Centre, on East Street in Kingston. Sixty scholarships will be awarded for the start of the 2026/2027 academic year, in recognition of the 60th anniversary of the SAWP.

2 months ago AgricultureFisheriesLabourMiningSocial Security

Farm Workers Off to Canada as SAWP Celebrates 60 Years

Nearly 300 farm workers departed for Canada on Wednesday (April 1), under the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme (SAWP). This follows the departure of another 180 seasonal workers on Monday, March 30, which included a group of 31 bound for the United States. Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., charged the Canada-bound men and women to remember...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (right), greets the youngest farm worker for the April 2026 season, Reneil Chambers, who will be participating in the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme (SAWP) for the first time. The occasion was the launch of the Government of Jamaica’s SAWP (GOJ/SAWP) Scholarship, held on Tuesday (March 31) at the Ministry’s Overseas Employment Centre, East Street, downtown Kingston. Sixty scholarships will be awarded at the start of the 2026 academic year, in recognition of the SAWP’s 60th anniversary. Sharing the moment (from left) are Canada’s High Commissioner to Jamaica, His Excellency Mark Berman, and State Minister in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Donovan Williams.

2 months ago LabourSocial Security

Gov’t Launches SAWP Scholarship to Mark Programme’s 60th Anniversary

The Government of Jamaica’s Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme (GOJ/SAWP) Scholarship was officially launched on Tuesday (March 31), providing vital financial support to the dependents of Jamaican farm workers pursuing advanced secondary and tertiary studies. Administered through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, 60 scholarships will be awarded at the start of the 2026 academic year, in recognition of the...