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The House of Representatives, on July 30, paid tribute to former Cabinet Minister, Douglas Manley, who passed away on July 26 after a long illness. He was 91 years old. The tributes were led by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, who said Mr. Manley had been “endowed with a most calm demeanor”, and was “an extremely relaxed...

Cabinet has given the nod for the introduction of a Bill, which is expected to facilitate increased access to credit, and enhance the business environment. The Security Interest in Personal Property Act (2013) is designed to implement a legal framework to modernise and improve the availability of domestic credit to the private sector, while minimising the risk of loan repayment....

A levy of US$1 has been imposed on each pound of conch exported during the 2013 conch season. The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, July 23, approved the Conch (Export Levy) (Rate of Levy) Order Resolution, 2013, to facilitate the move. The Resolution was brought by Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Roger Clarke. The law requires that for each...

A Bill to validate and confirm as lawful, the acts done in good faith by officers of the Veterinary Services Division in the collection of levies from conch exporters in relation to the 2011 conch season, was passed in the House of Representatives on July 23. Piloting the Bill - The Conch (Export Levy) (Validation and Indemnity) Act - Minister...

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Lloyd B. Smith, is encouraging young people to strive to be entrepreneurs, noting that their future employment rests in that area. Mr. Smith said that increasing numbers of young professionals in both the private and public sectors are being faced with diminishing opportunities for employment and professional advancement as employees.  He also...

The Senate has approved legislation to impose harsher penalties for the crime of human trafficking, and to expand the list of offences under the law. Under the amendments to the Trafficking in Persons (Prevention, Suppression and Punishment) Act, convicted persons can be imprisoned for up to 20 years, with provision for the court to impose an additional 10 years if...

A Bill seeking to address the import of aquaculture products into Jamaica, and to establish proper and adequate guidelines for all aspects of the fishing industry, was passed in the House of Representatives on July 16. The Aquaculture, Inland and Marine Products and By-Products (Inspection, Licensing and Export) (Change of Name and Amendment) Act, 2013, was approved without any amendment....

A Bill seeking to provide a modern legislative framework for the administration of trademarks in Jamaica was passed in the House of Representatives on July 16. Debate on the Trademarks (Amendment) Act began on Tuesday, July 9 and was piloted by Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton. Continuing the debate before passage of the Bill, Minister of...

An Act to Repeal the Defamation Act and Libel and Slander Act', also known as the Defamation Bill, was passed today (July 12) in the Senate. The Bill addresses inadequacies in the existing libel law and promotes speedy and non-litigious methods of resolving disputes. Among the provisions are: the abolition of the distinction between libel and slander and the establishment...

President of the Senate, Senator Floyd Morris, says having a sound education as well as a clear vision of what one wants to achieve in life, are among factors, which will ensure one’s survival in these challenging times. He said many Jamaicans are facing financial strains and the stresses of family life, and they will have to dig deep into...

The Senate, on July 5, commenced debate on a Bill entitled: ‘An Act to Repeal the Defamation Act and Libel and Slander Act’, also known as the Defamation Bill, during its sitting at Gordon House, downtown Kingston. The Bill, which was piloted by Justice Minister, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding, seeks to amend Jamaica’s defamation laws to address inadequacies identified...

Mr Speaker, my contribution to this 2013/14 Sectoral Debate comes two days after June 30th, the date of Jamaica’s first quarterly test under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) Agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Mr. Speaker, although the final information is not yet available, being so close to the end of the month, we are confident of success because...