Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Shahine Robinson, says passage of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) this fiscal year remains high on the Ministry’s agenda. “We can all agree that this legislation has been in gestation for a long period, but our tripartite partners and other stakeholders are satisfied that when this Act is passed, it will...

The Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) has spent some $18.6 billion on social development projects in the country over the past 20 years, resulting in some two million persons being impacted. Chairman of JSIF, Dr. Wayne Henry, said the fund carried out 594 education projects, which include school construction and provision of equipment; constructed 60 community spaces; and built, rehabilitated...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Shahine Robinson, has welcomed upgrading works being undertaken by the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) in resort town Ocho Rios, noting that the projects will boost tourism and create employment. “I am all about employment and what is in the best interest of the people,” said Mrs. Robinson who is also the Member...

Acting Executive Director of the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC), Cassandra Morrison, is imploring Jamaicans to take care of their elderly relatives and not abuse them. She noted that the country’s seniors are valuable contributors to national development, and the NCSC sees them as “resources to Jamaica and not as burdens”. Ms. Morrison, who was speaking in an interview...

The House of Representatives has approved amendments to the National Insurance (Amendment) Act, allowing for an actuarial review of the national insurance scheme (NIS) every three years, instead of the current five years. The Bill was piloted by Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Shahine Robinson, in the House on September 28. Mrs. Robinson said the reduction in the...

The Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) has launched a National Community Tourism Portal, which is a web-based platform to promote licensed community-based tourism enterprises across the island. The portal, launched at the Devonshire at Devon House in St. Andrew, today (September 28), is part of the Government’s US$15-million Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) project, being implemented by JSIF through funding...

Executive Director of the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD), Christine Hendricks, is lauding the Tourism Ministry for enabling access to some of the island’s best beaches by the physically challenged. Mrs. Hendricks noted that retrofitting the Boston Beach in Portland with wheelchair ramps and international standard design for bathroom fixtures as part of the Ministry’s National Beach Development...