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Chairman of the Labour Market Reform Commission, Dr. Marshall Hall, makes a point during a recent interview with JIS News at the Planning Institute of Jamaica.

Labour Market Reform Commission Advances Mandate

The Labour Market Reform Commission (LMRC) says that the transformation of Jamaica’s labour market is imperative for the nation’s future. The 18 member Committee, which was set up in April 2015, has been mandated to oversee the review of existing...

Chief of Staff, United States Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, Claudia Gordon, makes her presentation at a Disability Sector Advocacy Seminar hosted by the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD) on Monday (Feb. 8), at Alhambra Inn in St. Andrew.

Deaf Jamaican-Born Lawyer Hails Passage of Disabilities Act

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson (seated, second right) and Minister of Education, Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites (seated, second left) sign a Memorandum of Understanding that is designed to provide career guidance and improve access to labour market information system among young people at parish and community levels. The signing was undertaken at the Kingston and St. Andrew Parish Library on Tom Redcam Drive on February 3. Others (seated, from left) are: Director General, Jamaica Library Service (JLS), Karen Barton and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Colette Roberts Risden. Overseeing the signing (standing, from left) are: Public Relations and Marketing Officer, JLS, Kimberly Whilby McLaughlin and Record Clerk, Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Vennecia Francis.

Labour Ministry and JLS Sign MOU for Use of LMIS

Minister of Education, Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites (right), exchanges greetings with Executive Director of the Early Stimulation Programme (ESP), Antonica Gunter-Gayle. Occasion was the ground breaking ceremony for a new multi -purpose facility to house the Early Stimulation Programme (ESP), at Hanover Street, downtown Kingston on January 20.

ESP to Get $87 Million Multipurpose Facility

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson (left), listens to Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Colette Roberts Risden, during a meeting with staff at the St. Andrew offices of the Industrial Disputes Tribunal (IDT), today (January 19).

Office of the IDT to be Established in Western Jamaica

10 years ago Labour

Jamaica Productivity Centre Pushing for ESCO Industry

The Jamaica Productivity Centre (JPC) is pushing for individual Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) to join forces to form an industry that will effectively cater to the needs of a growing clientele. Executive Director of the JPC, Dr. Charles Douglas, told JIS News that while individual companies have been providing energy services across the country, more can be achieved if an...

10 years ago Labour

Growth Momentum to Continue – PIOJ

The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) is forecasting positive economic growth for 2016, continuing on trends from 2014 and 2015. “We expect another year of positive growth (for) the calendar and fiscal year,” said Deputy Director General of the PIOJ, Richard Lumsden, at a recent labour market forum at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston. He said the growth...

10 years ago LabourNational Security

Govt to Address Issues Affecting Security Guards

The Government will be acting on a recommendation from the Minimum Wage Commission, to address the issues of some security guards not receiving payslips, and being designated contractors. The contract designation prevents the guards from obtaining certain benefits under labour regulations, and Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, says it is a matter that will have...

10 years ago Labour

GOV’T Announces Increases in the Minimum Wage

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, has announced a 10.71 per cent increase in the national minimum wage from $5,600 to $6,200 for a 40-hour workweek. In addition, industrial security guards will receive $8,854 for a 40-hour work- week, up from $8,198, reflecting an eight per cent increase. The new rates take effect on March 1, 2016....

President of JAMPRO, Diane Edwards, addresses a JIS Think Tank on January 13. (FILE)

10 years ago Labour

JAMPRO Facilitates Over $27 Billion in Investment and 8,261 Jobs

The Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) is reporting major success in promoting and facilitating investment and employment opportunities for the 2014/15 financial year. Speaking at a JIS Think Tank on January 13, President of JAMPRO, Diane Edwards, said “we have recorded capital expenditure/capital investment of $27.1 billion for JAMPRO-facilitated projects.”“(This) represents a 33 per cent overachievement of our targets for that...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson (right), and Special Advisor in the Ministry, Everton Pryce, observe a recruitment session for the Overseas Hospitality Employment Programme, at the Holy Trinity Church Hall, in Montego Bay, on January 13. Margaret Harris of Sea Island Resort (USA) interviews applicant, Kaniel Ottey .

10 years ago Labour

Labour Minister Calls on Overseas Hospitality Workers to be Positive

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, has encouraged participants in the United States Hospitality Employment Programme to go overseas with a positive attitude, thereby ensuring they are consistently showcasing the best of Jamaica. “You all represent brand Jamaica and therefore you have the responsibility to ensure that once you are taken into the programme, that you...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, addresses the opening of a two-day training workshop, hosted by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica, in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), at the Knutsford Court Hotel, in New Kingston, on January 12. The workshop is to provide participants with technical training in preparation for carrying out Jamaica’s National Child Labour Survey, which will be done between April and June 2016.

10 years ago Labour

Labour Minister Proposes Strategies to Combat Child Labour

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, says tougher anti-child labour laws, increased opportunities for schooling and public awareness form part of the answer for the elimination of child labour. “If children can go to school and stay in school, their chances of getting proper jobs to care for their families increase and if there are tough...