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The national minimum wage will be increased from $4,500 to $5,000 per 40-hour work week as of Monday, September 3, 2012. Labour of Social Security Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier, made the announcement on July 25, during his contribution to the 2012/13 Sectoral Debate in Gordon House.  He said the 11 per cent increase is as a result of recommendations from...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, says the Ministry is committed to eliminating all stigma and discrimination associated with the Programme of Advancement through Health and Education (PATH).   “Many times we have noted several reports of stigma and discrimination aimed at students and other beneficiaries of the programme.  We are told of situations where a small...

The Government of Jamaica is looking to expand the overseas employment programmes by increasing the number of workers employed and the eligible categories of workers, and extending the programme to new countries. “We are particularly aware of the increased potential in Canada for placing Jamaican workers in the marketplace, particularly in the western provinces, where an economic boom is underway...

The Government of Jamaica is looking to expand the overseas employment programmes by increasing the number of workers employed and the eligible categories of workers, and extending the programme to new countries. "We are particularly aware of the increased potential in Canada for placing Jamaican workers in the marketplace, particularly in the western provinces, where an economic boom is underway...

The Minimum Wage Advisory Commission will be meeting next week to analyse submissions made by the public, which will assist in its review of the national minimum wage and the minimum wage of industrial security guards. Speaking at the final regional consultation on the national minimum wage and minimum wage for industrial security guards, Chairman of the Commission, Silvera Castro,...

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) has launched an HIV in the Workplace Public Education campaign, aimed at sensitising employers of the need to adopt policies on HIV and AIDS. The initiative being undertaken by the Occupational HIV Unit in the Ministry’s Safety and Health Department, falls under the United States President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR),...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, has praised the newly rebranded Institute for Workforce Education and Development (IWED) for its continued commitment to the development of the country’s workforce through education and training. “The Ministry of Labour and Social Security applauds and commends this training institution for its vision and steadfastness. In fact…I am convinced that as...

Employers are being urged to participate in the consultations on the minimum wage, organised by the Minimum Wage Advisory Commission, to have their views heard on the matter. Commission Chairman, Silvera Castro, who spoke to JIS News on June 19, at the first in the series of six consultations, held at the Montego Bay Civic Centre, Sam Sharpe Square, said...

KINGSTON - The Board of Supervision (BOS) of the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development is putting in place an identification system, as it looks to more adequately meet the needs of Jamaica’s homeless. National Homelessness Coordinator, Damion Campbell, told JIS News that the system, which is currently in the implementation phase, will be used to identify and monitor...

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security, through its International Programme for the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC), has renewed its call on Jamaicans to assist in the campaign to end child labour in the country. Since 2000, Jamaica has been working with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), to implement a national programme to prevent and eliminate child labour, says...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, says addressing the housing needs of thousands of Jamaicans living in poverty, will be one of the key areas of focus under Phase II of the Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP). Speaking on June 5, during her presentation in the 2012/13 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives, Mrs. Simpson Miller said...

There are indications that adjustments will be made to the minimum wage rates during the course of the current legislative year. Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, in her contribution to the 2012/13 Budget Debate in Gordon House, on June 5, announced that Labour and Social Security Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier, has been asked to direct the Minimum...