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Labour and Social Security Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier, says the policy on Flexible Work Arrangements has been in gestation for far too long, and that this will be addressed this year. He assured that amendments to legislation to facilitate the introduction of flexible work arrangements will be passed by the end of this calendar year. “It is time for us...

Labour and Social Security Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier, says that a review of the National Policy for Senior Citizens is among the key responses that must be undertaken by the administration to ensure that adequate provisions are made for the nation’s elderly. Making his contribution to the 2013/14 Sectoral Debate in Parliament on Tuesday, June 4, Mr. Kellier pointed out...

Approximately 20,000 students on the Government’s Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) are to benefit from a transportation allowance when the new school year starts in September. Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, said his Ministry is working with the Ministry of Education to finalise details of the proposed allowance. Mr. Kellier, who was making...

A total of 38 Jamaicans are being prepared to take up jobs with Canadian-based fast-food chain, Tim Horton’s Corporation, as soon as formal arrangements are in place. Making the disclosure during his contribution to the 2013/14 Sectoral Debate in Gordon House on Tuesday, June 4, Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier said the Ministry is about to...

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security’s programme of assistance for persons with disabilities has been boosted by a $250 million grant from the Japan Social Intervention Fund. The provision, which is being channeled through the World Bank, is in addition to a $56 million grant, which was recently secured through the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). Portfolio Minister, Hon. Derrick...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, says 175 of the 478 persons who were engaged under the Workforce Intervention aspect of the Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP), have retained employment. Mr. Kellier, who was making his contribution to the 2013/14 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, June 4, explained that as one of the...

A Steering Committee has been established to examine the feasibility of introducing unemployment insurance. The Committee has been formed following the positive outcomes achieved at a major joint labour market forum, hosted by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, in partnership with the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ). Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, made the...

The Minimum Wage Advisory Commission has been asked to conduct the necessary consultations and make recommendations for change, where possible, in the national minimum wage. This was announced by Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, during his contribution to the 2013/14 Sectoral Debate on Tuesday, June 4, in the House of Representatives. Mr. Kellier reaffirmed the Government’s...

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security is currently exploring the possibility of implementing a tiered work permit fee structure, in a bid to streamline the issuance process. Making the disclosure during his contribution to the 2013/14 Sectoral Debate in the House on June 4, Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, said the proposed structure, along with...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, says every effort will now be made to ensure that Flexible Work Arrangements become a reality in the country. He informed that a Ministry Paper will be tabled shortly and drafting instructions issued to the Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel, to facilitate the requisite legislative amendments. Mr. Kellier was making...

A total of 11,138 Jamaicans benefitted from job opportunities under the Overseas Employment Programme during 2012/2013. This was disclosed by Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, during his contribution to the 2013/14 Sectoral Debate in the House, on June 4. [RELATED: Industrial Relations Landscape Remains Stable] Of the number, some 3,269 workers were placed in the United...

A Ministry of Labour and Social Security-led project, under the Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP), is be piloted in two communities at a cost of US$1.2 million. Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, explains that the objective of the Project is to demonstrate and develop a model for rural road construction and maintenance, and erosion control. [RELATED:...