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The Squatter Management Unit in the Ministry of Water and Housing is being strengthened, portfolio Minister, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, has announced. In his Sectoral Debate presentation on July 1, in the House of Representatives, Dr. Chang said the Unit is being restructured, pointing out that this will incorporate an increase in the current staff complement of three. The restructuring,...

The Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act is to be amended to enable the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission to regulate the sector more effectively, and protect stakeholders and consumers. A Bill to amend the Act, has been tabled in the House of Representatives by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Audley Shaw. The Act is also being amended consequent...

The Ministry of Water and Housing will embark on a programme to accelerate the delivery of housing solutions, particularly to lower income level persons, over the next three years, according to portfolio Minister, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang. Dr. Chang made the announcement during his contribution to the 2009/10 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Wednesday (July 1). He...

As part of efforts to reverse negative productivity trends, the Jamaica Productivity Centre (JPC) has accelerated its 'Train the Trainer' programme, while continuing to provide technical assistance services to small and medium enterprises. Minister of State in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Andrew Gallimore, made the announcement yesterday (June 30), in his contribution to the 2009/10 Sectoral...

The Ministry of Tourism intends to, over the next few months, grow its existing markets and make significant inroads into new destinations, through an aggressive promotion campaign. Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, speaking in the House of Representatives yesterday (June 30), said that the campaign will involve integrated public relations programmes, advertising and sales strategies. "We'll be targeting those markets,...

Senator Desmond McKenzie(Government) has suggested that there is a need to control violence, in general, if Jamaica is to reduce the level of sexual violence against women and girls. Senator McKenzie said that the international community has a very high perception of sexual violence in Jamaica and, while it was the second most common cause of injury to women in...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles, has informed that a submission will be made to Cabinet soon on the proposed measures to increase the levels of contribution to the National Insurance Fund (NIF). Mr. Charles, who was making his contribution to the 2009/10 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on June 23, said that one available...

Opposition Spokesman on Energy and Telecommunications, Phillip Paulwell, has reiterated his call for the incorporation of technology in the proceedings in the House of Representatives. Speaking in the 2009/10 Sectoral Debate at Gordon House on June 23, Mr. Paulwell contended that rendering Parliament "technology-friendly," by outfitting it with laptops, wirings, and the provisions for documents to be generated in soft...

Some 3,000 eligible members of the Programme for Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH), will benefit from $33 million in training, employment, and entrepreneurial services this financial year, under the Ministry of Labour and Social Security's Steps-to-Work programme. The programme, which is being piloted in Kingston and St. Andrew, Clarendon, Manchester, St. James and Trelawny, aims to provide PATH beneficiaries...

Some $650 million, out of an allocated $1 billion, has been disbursed from the National Insurance Fund (NIF) credit facility to assist small and medium enterprises. Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles, making the disclosure as he opened the 2009/10 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives yesterday (June 23), said that 371 businesses have benefitted from...

Government Senator, Dennis Meadows, has suggested limitations on the types of cases for which persons could be listed in the Sexual Offenders Register proposed under the Sexual Offences Bill. "I suggest we look at levels of registration, and what degrees of registration should be accessible to the public," he said, noting that the levels of registration should vary according to...

The interactive radio talk show programme hosted by Prime Minister the Hon. Bruce Golding, "Jamaica House Live", will be aired this coming Wednesday, June 24 from 8:30-10:00 p.m. The programme, which is aired every last Wednesday in each month, allows Jamaicans at home and abroad, to call and speak with the Prime Minister on any issue or concern that they...