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Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Major General (Ret’d) Antony Anderson (centre), discusses Jamaica’s overseas employment programmes with Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Colette Roberts Risden (second left), who has oversight responsibility for overseas employment programmes in the United States and Canada, during a meeting at the Embassy of Jamaica in Washington, D.C. Also participating are Liaison Officers in the Ministry, Sheldon Brown, and Karlene Brown (right), and Minister Counsellor for Trade and Economic Affairs at the Embassy, Aliecia Taylor.
Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Major General (Ret’d) Antony Anderson (centre), discusses Jamaica’s overseas employment programmes with Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Colette Roberts Risden (second left), who has oversight responsibility for overseas employment programmes in the United States and Canada, during a meeting at the Embassy of Jamaica in Washington, D.C. Also participating are Liaison Officers in the Ministry, Sheldon Brown, and Karlene Brown (right), and Minister Counsellor for Trade and Economic Affairs at the Embassy, Aliecia Taylor.

Gov’t of Jamaica Pursuing Expansion of Overseas Employment Programmes In The United States

The Government of Jamaica is pressing ahead with efforts to expand the H-2A and H-2B United States (U.S.) work visa programmes. Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Major General (Ret’d) Antony Anderson, met with Permanent Secretary in the...
Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon (centre), observes as Managing Director of the HEART/NSTA Trust, Dr. Taneisha Ingleton, extends greetings to Chairman of the Jamaica Society for the Blind (JSB), Damion McLean, during the handover ceremony for HEART’s Region I National Development Project, held at the JSB in Kingston on January 15.
Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon (centre), observes as Managing Director of the HEART/NSTA Trust, Dr. Taneisha Ingleton, extends greetings to Chairman of the Jamaica Society for the Blind (JSB), Damion McLean, during the handover ceremony for HEART’s Region I National Development Project, held at the JSB in Kingston on January 15.

Gov’t Reaffirms Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities
Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, delivers the keynote address during the launch of the Shelter Recovery Programme (SRP), held on January 15 at the Office of the Prime Minister. The programme represents a multifaceted national response to support individuals and families whose homes were damaged during the passage of Hurricane Melissa.
Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, delivers the keynote address during the launch of the Shelter Recovery Programme (SRP), held on January 15 at the Office of the Prime Minister. The programme represents a multifaceted national response to support individuals and families whose homes were damaged during the passage of Hurricane Melissa.

Prime Minister Urges Vigilance Against Exploitation of Roofs Shelter Programme
Director, Disaster Rehabilitation and Welfare Management, Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS), Jacqueline Shepherd, encourages Jamaicans to secure important documents, during a recent JIS Think Tank.
Director, Disaster Rehabilitation and Welfare Management, Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS), Jacqueline Shepherd, encourages Jamaicans to secure important documents, during a recent JIS Think Tank.

Jamaicans Urged to Safeguard Personal Documents
Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, delivers the keynote address during the launch of the Shelter Recovery Programme (SRP), held on Thursday (January 15) at the Office of the Prime Minister. The SRP is a multifaceted national response designed to support individuals and families whose homes were damaged during the passage of Hurricane Melissa.
Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, delivers the keynote address during the launch of the Shelter Recovery Programme (SRP), held on Thursday (January 15) at the Office of the Prime Minister. The SRP is a multifaceted national response designed to support individuals and families whose homes were damaged during the passage of Hurricane Melissa.

Gov’t Launches Shelter Recovery Programme to Aid Hurricane Melissa Victims

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Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., addresses a post-Cabinet press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister in Kingston, on Wednesday (January 14).
Hurricane Relief & RecoveryLabourSocial Security

PM Launches Shelter Recovery Programme on January 15

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, will on Thursday (January 15) launch the Shelter Recovery Programme (SRP), which will provide reconstruction and rehabilitation support for households impacted by Hurricane Melissa. The announcement was made by Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., during a post-Cabinet press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister in...
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Canada’s High Commissioner to Jamaica, His Excellency Mark Berman (right), addresses a send-off ceremony for seasonal agricultural workers departing for Canada, held at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security’s Overseas Employment Centre on East Street in downtown Kingston, on Tuesday (January 6). Listening (from left) are State Minister in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Donovan Williams; Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dione Jennings.
Labour

More Than 8,000 Seasonal Agricultural Workers Travelled to Canada in 2025

More than 8,000 Jamaicans travelled to Canada in 2025 as part of the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme, of which approximately 3,303 workers had more than 10 or more years of experience, while 1,051 workers were new to the programme. Additionally, 417 applications were for female workers that were processed. Canada’s High Commissioner to Jamaica, His Excellency Mark Berman, made the...
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Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., addresses farm workers ahead of their departure for Canada, under the Canadian Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme (SAWP) on Wednesday (January 6). The send-off event was held at the Ministry
AgricultureLabourSocial Security

Jamaican Farm Workers Depart for Canada

A total of 183 agricultural workers will depart the island this week to participate in the 2026 Canadian Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme (SAWP). The first batch of 98 workers left today (December 6), with another… scheduled to depart on Wednesday (January 7). They will be travelling to provinces including Ontario, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland, where they will...
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State Minister in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Donovan Williams (left), greets farmworker, Arnold Campbell (centre), at a send- off for seasonal agricultural workers to Canada, held at the Ministry’s Overseas Employment Centre on East Street in downtown Kingston, on January 6. Others from (second left) are farmworker André Ellis; Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dione Jennings.
AgricultureLabourSocial Security

Improved Employment Contract for Seasonal Workers to Canada

Jamaicans participating in Canada's Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme are set to benefit from improved employment contract conditions. Minister of State in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Donovan Williams, made the disclosure during a send-off for seasonal agricultural workers to Canada, held at the Ministry’s Overseas Employment Centre on East Street in downtown Kingston, on January 6. Mr....
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Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (right), addresses a send-off ceremony for seasonal agricultural workers departing for Canada, held at the Ministry’s Overseas Employment Centre on East Street in downtown Kingston on Tuesday (January 6). Listening (from left) are Canada’s High Commissioner to Jamaica, His Excellency Mark Berman; State Minister in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Donovan Williams; and Acting Permanent Secretary, Dione Jennings.
LabourSocial Security

Gov’t to Safeguard Integrity of Overseas Employment Programme

The Government will be taking steps to preserve the integrity of the Overseas Employment Programme. This was disclosed by Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., who noted that he was scheduled to meet with the Permanent Secretary on Tuesday (January 6) to discuss critical matters in this regard. “[We] will always have to protect [the Programme]...
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National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, Diahann Gordon Harrison.
LabourSocial Security

Role of Labour Inspectors in Anti-Human Trafficking Drive Highlighted

Labour Inspectors at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security are playing a significant role in Jamaica’s anti-human trafficking drive, says National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, Diahann Gordon Harrison. Delivering the 22nd Annual George Liele Lecture, held recently at the Mamby Park Baptist Church in Kingston, Mrs. Gordon Harrison explained that the Inspectors are empowered to go on any...
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