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Cabinet has approved the renewal of software update licence and support for the Shipping Service Provider System in the sum of US$645.6 million Minister with Responsibility for Information, Daryl Vaz says this will enable Port Computer Services to continue its technology hosting and operational services for the container terminal and Port authority of Jamaica. Port Computer Services is a subsidiary...

The House of Representatives passed three bills on Tuesday (Feb. 23), in keeping with the government's efforts to step-up the pace of legislation in Parliament. Two of the Acts were directly related to the management of public bodies. The third Act seeks to indemnify the JUTC through its self-insurance scheme. The Act to amend the Public Bodies Management and Accountability...

The House of Representatives on February 24, passed a Bill to amend the Industrial and Provident Societies Act, thereby improving the institutional framework of these bodies. The law makes provision for these societies to be supervised and monitored by the Registrar of Co-operatives, instead of the Companies Office of Jamaica, which now has supervisory responsibility for them. "Under that system,...

Parliament started debating the Casino Gaming Bill and the Betting Gaming and Lotteries (Amendments) Bill on Tuesday (February23) in order to pave the way for Casino Gaming in resort areas. Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, who is piloting both Bills, told the House of Representatives that the debate follows the submission of a final report...

Cabinet has approved the appointment of a Commission to review, enquire and make recommendations as to changes, if any, to the current regulatory, institutional and pricing arrangements in the sugar sector. This was disclosed by Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton, in a statement to the House of Representatives on February 23. Dr. Tufton informed that the...

Members of the House of Representatives expressed varying views on the introduction of casino gaming in Jamaica, as debate on the Casino Gaming Act 2009, and the Betting Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Act 2009, continued in the House, yesterday (February 24). Member of Parliament for East St. Andrew, Dr. St. Aubyn Bartlett, who supports casino gaming, noted that the gaming...

Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding has urged parents to take better care of their children or face the consequences, and lamented the parenting deficit existing in the country. He noted that where the parenting deficit results in a disoriented maladjusted child, the State has a responsibility that it has to accept, Mr. Golding said. The Prime Minister, who was...

More than four years after Parliament approved the Criminal Justice (Plea Negotiations and Agreements) or "Plea Bargaining" Act, the Senate passed the regulations that will govern the Act on Friday (February 12). Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Senator the Hon. Dorothy Lightbourne, said that the provisions of the Criminal Justice (Plea Negotiations and Agreements) Regulations and the Legal Aid...

Members of the House of Representatives paid tribute to the late Vice Chancellor Emeritus of the University of the West Indies (UWI), Professor the Hon. Rex Nettleford OM, with many sharing memories of personal encounters with the regional icon on Tuesday (February16). Prime Minister the Hon. Bruce Golding hailed him as a researcher, historian and innovator, who remained passionately committed...

Prime Minister Bruce Golding opened the debate on the Independent Commission of Investigations Bill, which seeks to establish a Commission of Parliament to investigate alleged abuses by the security forces, in the House of Representatives on Wednesday (February 10). Mr. Golding told the House that nowhere has the issue of the abuse of the rights of ordinary citizens been brought...

A Joint Select Committee of Parliament has recommended a maximum 12-hour work day to replace the current 8-10 hour work days, under proposed Flexible Work Arrangements (FWA) in Jamaica. Under this arrangement, workers' normal work week would still cover 40 hours, but these hours could extend over any combination of days over the seven days of the week and overtime...

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Karl Samuda, says that it is important that adequate systems are set up to determine the credit-worthiness of borrowers, while Government seeks to ensure the integrity of the banks. Contributing to the debate on the Credit Reporting Bill in the House of Representatives Tuesday (February 9), Mr. Samuda noted that borrowers have used...