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President of the Jamaica Employers' Federation (JEF), Wayne Chen, has stressed the need for businesses to operate within the formal economy, noting that this is critical for the country prosperity. "We recognize that one of the foundations of our future development will have to be increasing formality within the spheres of economic activity," Mr. Chen stated on September 4, as...

The new national minimum wage of $5,000 per 40-hour work week, takes effect today, September 3, 2012. The 11 per cent increase in the minimum wage is as a result of recommendations from the Minimum Wage Advisory Commission. Minister of Labour of Social Security Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier, had announced during his contribution to the 2012/13 Sectoral Debate in Gordon...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, said that the Government will ensure that the family of deceased farm worker, Horace Clarke, is properly compensated. The Minister gave the commitment to family members on August 27, during a meeting at his North Street office. Mr. Clarke, who died in a motor vehicle accident in Canada on August 9,...

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security, through its Steps-to-Work programme, will be disbursing some $42 million in entrepreneurial grants this year, in an effort to assist persons across the island to establish small businesses. This amount represents a 100 per cent increase over last year’s allocation, and will see participants in PATH households, who are engaged in the Steps-to-Work...

MONTEGO BAY — Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, is stressing the need for Jamaicans to begin planning for retirement as early as possible. The Minister, who was delivering the keynote address at the launch of a series of retirement seminars today (August 10) at the Wexford Hotel in Montego Bay, said retirement is much different than...

Preliminary reports from a labour market study being conducted by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security indicate that there are employment opportunities in a number of industries. The study, involving 606 organisations across the island, seeks to capture the perspective of employers island-wide on areas of growth and employment in the economy; gaps in the labour force as they...

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has reviewed the beneficiary identification system for the Programme for Advancement through Health and Education (PATH) and will be rolling out the new questionnaire in September 2012. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier, made the disclosure on July 25, during his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives. He noted that...

Cabinet has approved increases in all categories of pensions, grants and allowances payable under the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) effective from January 10, 2013. This was disclosed by Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier on July 25, during his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives.  Proposed increases in pensions and allowances are as...

The National Disability Bill will soon be tabled in Parliament, Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, has informed. “I am very pleased to advise that consistent with our commitment to upholding the rights and freedoms of persons with disabilities, we in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, will very shortly be tabling in Parliament, the National...

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...