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The International Labour Organisation (ILO), has recommended that the Government work with the Inter-American Research and Documentation Centre on Vocational Training (CINTERFOR) in embarking on training programmes to re-train Jamaica's workforce. This suggestion was made by Director of the ILO's Sub-regional Office for the Caribbean, Dr. Ana Teresa Romero, who proposed that the Ministry of Labour and Social Security collaborate...

Senior citizens from the Bluefields area of Westmoreland have been presented with gift packages by the Bluefields People's Community Association (BPCA), and given free specialised health care by staff and students of Bryan's Nursing Academy in the parish, over the past few weeks. The elderly persons were visited by members of the Association, particularly the 'shut-in' members of the community,...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles, has summoned an emergency meeting for Tuesday morning (August 11) at the Ministry in Kingston, to discuss the current demonstration by registered nurses at public health facilities. The Ministry of Labour confirmed today that Mr. Charles has summoned the parties - the Nurses Association of Jamaica (NAJ) and the Ministry of...

Jamaicans in the Diaspora are being encouraged to become more actively engaged in transforming the country. "If you believe in Jamaica, give yourself to the process of national building in Jamaica and help the nation pull through to her capability, as belief demands action," urged Pastor of the Fellowship Tabernacle in Kingston, Rev. Dr. Merrick 'Al' Miller. He was addressing...

Efforts to safeguard the welfare of indigents, and other persons in need of public assistance, have been boosted by the Government's implementation of the Social Protection Project. The initiative aims at enhancing Jamaica's social protection framework, by expanding the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH). Project Director for PATH, Dunstan Bryan, tells JIS News that since its introduction...

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security plans to extend its Early Stimulation Programme (ESP) to western Jamaica to reach more children with mental and physical disabilities. "This early stimulation programme is important and is vital to their survival and we are thinking of setting up another (facility) in western Jamaica for those parents, who can't get into Kingston with...

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has issued a plea for Jamaican employers to support its Special Youth Employment and Training (SYEAT) Project, despite the economic challenges. Speaking at a JIS Think Tank Session Tuesday (July 22) at the agency's headquarters, Half-Way Tree Road, Kingston, Administrator for the SYEAT Project, Karen Courtney, said that the participants are eager and...

A Centre of Excellence for Health Workforce Planning is to be opened in Jamaica by February 2010, Health Minister, the Hon. Rudyard Spencer, has announced. The centre, he said, forms part of efforts to modernise Jamaica's public health sector, by improving the human, physical, and technological infrastructures. Speaking during the 2009/10 Sectoral Debate in Gordon House on Wednesday (July 15),...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles, says that his Ministry will be strengthening its conciliation machinery to reduce the number of labour disputes referred to the Industrial Disputes Tribunal (IDT) for settlement. Speaking at a Labour Advisory Committee (LAC) meeting Wednesday (July 15), at his Ministry's offices on North Street in Kingston, Mr. Charles said that the...

Government expenditure to deliver emergency relief to individuals who suffered dislocation caused by disasters during the 2008/09 fiscal year, amounted to some $30.5 million, Labour and Social Security Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles, has reported. Addressing the inaugural staging of the American Chamber of Commerce of Jamaica's (AMCHAM) Health, Safety, Security and Environment Conference, at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston...

Verona O'Connor has devoted her life to improving the condition of residents of the parish of St. Thomas. As a community volunteer and parish organiser for the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC), until her retirement in 2007, the 62-year old willingly imparted her skills through workshops in culinary techniques, art and craft, floral arrangement and other life skills to...

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has responded to Prime Minister the Hon. Bruce Golding's charge to the public sector to reduce energy usage, with the launch of its conservation programme, 'Conservation is a Plus. Turn it off'. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles, says the Government must find ways to save money, if public sector jobs are to be...