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The House of Representatives has passed the Bill for the creation of an Independent Commission of Investigations to probe abuse of rights by the security forces. The Commission will also have the authority to investigate other agents of the state, such as correctional and customs officers involved in such acts. Discussions by the Committee of the Whole House on Tuesday...

The House of Representatives yesterday (March 9) approved the regulations to the recently passed Credit Reporting Act, to provide for the licensing of credit reporting agencies as well as the required fees. The regulations set out the application requirements to operate as a credit bureau, which include a memorandum of association, certificate of incorporation, and audited statements, while there is...

The Houses of Parliament today (March 8), observed Commonwealth Day with a science fair at the Cleve Grant Building, Constant Spring Road Church of God, under the theme: 'Science, Technology and Society'. Minister of State in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Andrew Gallimore, in his remarks said he felt privileged to be participating in the day's activities....

The National Gender policy document has been submitted to Cabinet, and is now being reviewed by its Human Resource Committee. In addition, the Sexual Harassment policy is being redrafted, to allow for a joint presentation to Cabinet by Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Hon. Olivia Grange, and Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Senator the Hon. Dorothy Lightbourne....

Jamaica's Parliament celebrated Commonwealth Day with a science fair at the Cleve Grant Building, Constant Spring Road Church of God, Kingston, under the theme 'Science, Technology and Society', on Monday (March 8). Minister of State in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Andrew Gallimore, who is also Deputy Leader of the House of Representatives, was delighted with the...

The State Opening of Parliament will take place on Thursday, March 25, beginning at 11:00 a.m. On that day, Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Sir Patrick Allen will deliver the Throne Speech, in which he will outline the government's programmes and policies for the 2010/11 Fiscal Year, which begins on April 1. Later in the afternoon, Minister of Finance and...

Cabinet recently approved the mandate for the Sugar Company of Jamaica Holdings Limited (SCJH) to conduct negotiations with interested parties who had submitted unsolicited proposals with respect to the divestment of the Frome, Monymusk and Bernard Lodge Sugar estates. A Commission of Enquiry has also been approved which will review the current institutional and regulatory pricing arrangements in the sugar...

Principal Director of the Standards Monitoring and Evaluation Unit of the Cabinet Office, Dwight Uylett, says that the Unit will soon be presenting a National Customer Service Policy to Cabinet, for consideration. The Policy is part of efforts by the Unit, which falls under the Public Sector Modernisation Division, to implement a Customer Service Programme across the public sector. Mr....

The Senate has approved changes to the Labour Relations and Industrial Disputes (Amendment) Act, which will allow non-unionised workers access to arbitration at the Industrial Disputes Tribunal (IDT). Only one amendment was made to the Bill, which was passed in the House of Representatives in October, 2009. It was piloted through the Senate on Friday (February 26) by Minister of...

Prime Minister Bruce Golding announced Tuesday (March 2) that juvenile correctional and remand facilities are to be removed from the Correctional Services and placed under the Child Development Agency (CDA). "The Correctional Services are designed for treating with adult criminal offenders. The objective of their incarceration is both punishment and rehabilitation. We do not consider this to be the correct...

Minister with responsibility for Information, the Hon. Daryl Vaz, says that a full statement will be made to Parliament on Tuesday (March 1) by the Prime Minister, the Hon Bruce Golding, in response to the Armadale report. Mr. Vaz said the Armadale Report was discussed extensively at Monday's Cabinet meeting at Jamaica House. The Report will also be tabled in...

The House of Representatives passed amendments to the Financial Administration and Audit Act and the Public Bodies Management and Accountability Act on Tuesday, as part of the Government's fiscal responsibility framework. Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, who piloted both Bills, stated that this fiscal responsibility framework will operate as the centrepiece of the reforms being...