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For several decades, the Overseas Employment Programme has been like a silver lining for many Jamaicans, particularly farm workers, providing them the opportunity to improve their lives. The programme has also been a significant contributor to the Jamaican economy, as a result of the frequent inflow of foreign exchange, being sent home by workers to their loved ones. This year,...

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security is in the process of undertaking review to address safety in the workplace through the proposed Occupational Health and Safety Act. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles, said that the bill will be brought to Parliament after the relevant procedural steps have been taken. He was speaking in the House of Representatives yesterday (March...

Over 400 young people in rural and urban Jamaica are to benefit from a two-year US$1.25 million poverty reduction programme. A project of the Government of Jamaica and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Youth Employment Project is being made possible by a grant from USAID, and will be implemented by the Scientific Research Council (SRC). The project, which...

The Government of Jamaica and the World Bank have signed a US$15 million (J$1.34 billion) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), for the establishment of the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) project in the rural communities. The agreement was also signed by the World Bank, the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), the Ministry of Tourism, the Tourism Product and Development Company (TPDCo),...

As the country goes through a period of adjustment, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security is seeking to ensure that no Jamaican is left behind by helping persons to find employment and start their own businesses, and widening the social safety net. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles says that the recently signed agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF)...

A World Bank representative has proposed that English-speaking Caribbean countries examine their policy responses to migration of health workers, with a view to having some of the countries to which they emigrate share the cost of educating them. The proposal was made by World Bank Sector Leader for Human Development and lead author of the World Bank's latest report, 'The...

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has advised that a National Minimum Wage consultation scheduled for the Manchester Club, Mandeville, Tuesday (March 2), has been rescheduled to Thursday (March 4) at the same venue starting at 2:00 p.m. The 2010 consultations by the Minimum Wage Advisory Commission are to garner the views of workers, including industrial security guards, and...

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security says that a new committee has been named to expedite the passage of the National Disability Bill. The committee was set up two weeks ago by the National Advisory Board on Disability, chaired by Dr. Patricia Dunwell, and comes against the background of renewed efforts by Minister of State, Hon. Andrew Gallimore, to...

State Minister for Labour and Social Security, Hon. Andrew Gallimore, has said that the proposed Jobs Pact for the economic recovery of Jamaica will help to generate employment for citizens made jobless due to the ongoing global financial crisis. "We believe that if the Jobs Pact is properly formulated, it will... help to examine new opportunities for employment and provide...

Residents from several communities in and around Happy Grove, in North West St. Elizabeth, benefited from a health fair and get-together on February 6, sponsored by head of Sunshine Auto Parts, Mr. Errol Brennan, who grew up in the area. The residents, mainly the elderly, received free health checks, while the children got dental care. Gifts were also handed out...

The National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC) has received a donation of six computers from Food for the Poor to be used in its Information Technology (IT) training programme. Executive Director of the NCSC, Beverly Hall-Taylor, in expressing gratitude for the donation, stated that the equipment will enable the Council to train more seniors. "It will enhance our programme a...

the Department of Correctional Services' (DCS) on-going Inmate Public Work Programme will continue, with inmates repainting police stations in St. Catherine, during the first quarter of this year. Senator Nelson, making his contribution to the State of the Nation Debate in the Senate last week, noted that the programme was expanded last year to include work on Highway 2000. "The...