Senior Director, Research and Measurement Unit, Jamaica Productivity Centre (JPC) Mikhail-Ann Urquhart, says investment in research and development is critical in achieving the levels of productivity needed to boost competiveness and economic growth. “One of the problems that we have in the Caribbean, in general, is that we have very low levels of investment in research and development. Research and...

A sum of $81 million has been allocated in the 2021/22 Estimates of Expenditure, currently before the House of Representatives, towards the continuation of the Integrated Support to the Jamaica Social Protection Strategy project. The initiative is being implemented by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, through funding from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). It aims to support, protect...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Karl Samuda, is calling on Jamaicans to place more emphasis on training as the country continues its recovery efforts from the devastating impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Speaking at a virtual Productivity Forum recently at the Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston, Mr. Samuda highlighted issues the coronavirus has brought to Jamaica’s productive...

The government has responded to calls from employers and employees to address issues affecting the Labour Market in light of the Covid19 pandemic.  Labour and Social Security Minister, Karl Samuda, has assembled a strong team of experts in a task force to address the issue.  Speaking to the group at its first meeting on Monday, Minister Samuda, outlined the scope...

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security, is warning merchants, to be on the lookout for fraudulent cheques purportedly being drawn on its account. According to Public Relations & Communications Director, Vando Palmer, persons have been going around to various businesses, purchasing items and attempting to pay by cheques, drawn on the Ministry’s account. Mr. Palmer says, these cheques are...

Consideration is being given to expanding the Abilities Foundation programme into other parishes to provide access to training opportunities for persons with disabilities in rural areas. “We are looking to see how we can bring what is done here to other parishes or sections of the country,” State Minister for Labour and Social Security, Hon. Zavia Mayne, told JIS News...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, on Thursday (November 12), officially opened the St. Ann parish office of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, located at 4 Windsor Road in St. Ann’s Bay. The new two-storey, state-of-the-art facility, built at a cost of more than $500 million, is designed to enhance service delivery to the people of St....