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A  Bill to establish the National Parenting Support Commission was passed by the House of Representatives on September 25. Under the National Parenting Support Commission Act 2012, members of the Commission will have the responsibility of overseeing the implementation and operation of the National Parenting Policy. The policy defines effective parenting from a Jamaican perspective and sets out the Government's...

A Bill encouraging overseas companies to establish their head offices in Jamaica, and to exempt officers of such companies from the payment of income tax, was passed in the House of Representatives on September 25. The Bill – The Income Tax (Amendment) Act - was piloted by Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips. In his remarks,...

The National Workplace Policy on HIV/AIDS is to be tabled in Parliament shortly as a White Paper, following Cabinet's approval. This was disclosed by Minister with responsibility for Information, Senator the Hon. Sandrea Falconer, during today's a Jamaica House press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister. The National Workplace Policy on HIV/AIDS is a framework for action by...

The House of Representatives has approved the removal of over 3,000 posts from the civil service. This was done through approval of the Civil Service Establishment (General) (Amendment) Order 2012 Resolution, which was moved by Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and Planning, Hon. Horace Dalley, in the House, on September 11. Mr. Dalley explained that a circular...

The business community in St. Elizabeth is expressing optimism, following the re-emergence of a Chamber of Commerce in the parish. The re-establishment of the Chamber could contribute positively to the development and future of the parish, considered the bread basket parish of the island. This was stated by newly elected President of the Chamber, Howard Hendricks, who told JIS News...

The Committal Proceedings Bill, which seeks to abolish preliminary enquiries, has been sent to a Joint Select Committee of Parliament for further deliberations.        Minister of Justice, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding, who opened the debate on the Bill in the Senate, on July 20, said that the legislation sought to alleviate or reduce problems related to inordinate delay, high legal...

The Government of Jamaica remains committed to the ongoing and sustainable development of the entertainment industry as a national priority, said Minister of State for Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Damion Crawford. Mr. Crawford, who was making his contribution to the 2012/13 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (July 17), said education and entertainment have a crucial role...

Attorney General, Hon. Patrick Atkinson, said his office is up to the task of providing effective legal advice to the Government when necessary. “I wish to categorically state that the Attorney General’s Chambers is a professional, high-quality law office which is up to the task of supporting me to give effectively and correctly, advice to the Government of Jamaica,in these...

The Entertainment Advisory Board has been mandated to formulate the tenets of an Entertainment Encouragement Act, which will facilitate further private sector involvement in the local entertainment industry. State Minister in the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Damion Crawford, made the disclosure during his contribution to the 2012/13 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, on July 17. He...

The Government is moving ahead with plans to build a state-of-the-art adult facility to accommodate 5,000 inmates. The project has been on the drawing board for some time, and National Security Minister, Hon. Peter Bunting, said discussions are taking place with an international partner towards the development. He noted that the building of the facility, which will house male and...

As part of efforts to improve the efficiency of the Firearm Licensing Authority (FLA), the entity is moving to clear the backlog of firearm licence applications. "The objective will be to complete the processing, from application to decision, within a six-month period, Minister of National Security, Hon. Peter Bunting said on July 17, during his contribution to the Sectoral Debate...

Minister of State for Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Damion Crawford, is urging Government to stand firm on the issue of free movement within CARICOM for all professionals, including dancers, singers and artists. "We must stand against the arbitrary banning of our entertainers from performing on shows in some of these countries,” Mr. Crawford said on July 17, in his contribution...