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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...

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) in Charge of the Community Safety and Security Branch, John McLean, thinks that the introduction of automatic number plate recognition technology will improve the effectiveness of the police. "There is a technology available to do automatic number plate recognition, so you can actually pick up car registration as they go pass and quickly identify individuals....

Thirteen auto service technicians departed the island on Saturday (Jan. 16) to take up training and job opportunities in Canada. The group represents the first set of skilled workers to benefit under an eight-month work-study programme, which is being facilitated by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. Another group of 14 heavy duty mechanics are scheduled to depart on...

President of the Jamaica Employers' Federation (JEF), Wayne Chen, has emphasised that teamwork must be maintained at the workplaces to ensure productivity. "The JEA is about making the employer/employee relationship as smooth as possible, because at the end of the day, all of our enterprises depend on efficient employees," he told the monthly meeting of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce,...

The Jamaican Association on Mental Retardation is re-branding itself as the Jamaican Association on Intellectual Disability (JAID), to create greater awareness and appreciation for persons with intellectual challenges in the society. According to JAID Executive Director, Grace Duncan, "We are hoping to reduce prejudice and discrimination towards persons with disabilities, and affirm their right to participate fully in society." She...