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Cabinet has approved proposal for Jamaica to become a member of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), at the next meeting of the IOM, scheduled for today (November 30) in Geneva, Switzerland. Minister of Information, Senator Burchell Whiteman made the announcement yesterday (November 29), at the weekly post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House. "Jamaica has observer status and we are...

Amendments to the Road Traffic Act, which would give deaf and hearing-impaired persons the right to drive, could be completed before the end of the legislative year. Senator Floyd Morris, Minister of State in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, told JIS News, that the Bill was before the Chief Parliamentary Counsel and could be put before Parliament by...

The Proceeds of Crime Bill is to be brought before Parliament soon, as part of efforts to fight organised crime and to ensure that persons engaged in criminal activities do not profit from their illegal activities. National Security Minister, Dr. Peter Phillips made the announcement while addressing the closing ceremony for staff of the Financial Crimes Unit, who had participated...

The Pensions Reform (Superannuation Funds and Retirement Schemes) Act 2004 was passed in the House of Representatives yesterday (May 11), with 48 amendments, and has been sent to the Senate for debate. Fitz Jackson, State Minister for Finance and Planning with responsibility for pensions, said the legislative side of the Bill should be completed within the next couple of weeks,...

Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Omar Davies has said that while a fixed exchange rate system, provided a greater level of certainty and stability, and would temper inflation, there were critical factors as it related to the removal of flexibility to respond to domestic and external shocks. Dr. Davies' remarks came as he closed the 2004/05 Budget Debate in...

Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Omar Davies has described the Opposition Leader's suggestion that a five per cent reduction on government domestic bond offers could yield $22 billion in one year, thereby removing the fiscal deficit, as a proposal that was "simply not feasible". Dr. Davies was closing the 2004/05 Budget Debate in Gordon House on Wednesday (April 28)....

It was an occasion fit for a king, when the 2004/05 Parliamentary Year commenced at Gordon House on Duke Street today, with the Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Howard Cooke delivering the Throne Speech. Dozens of wide-eyed children from nearby primary schools lined sections of Duke Street, gleefully craning their necks to get a glimpse of what must...

Finance and Planning Minister, Dr. Omar Davies yesterday (March 2) tabled the first supplementary estimates in the House of Representatives for the 2003/2004 fiscal year. The estimates, totalling $17.46 billion has recurrent expenses of $14.43 billion and capital expenditure amounting to $3.02 billion. Under recurrent expenses in the revised estimates, the Office of the Services Commission is to receive a...

A new Bill which seeks to repeal and replace the present Companies Act has been applauded by Senator Noel Sloley, who has predicted that as a result of the numerous changes to the Act, there would be increased shareholder confidence, and encouragement for local and overseas investors, especially in the country's capital market. Speaking in the Senate yesterday (February 27),...

Leader of Government Business in the Senate, Burchell Whiteman has said that amendments to the Companies Act would make a difference in how business was done in Jamaica, as they would afford protection for persons and institutions. Tabling the 396-clause Bill, which seeks to repeal and replace the present Act, Senator Whiteman said the updated Act would in fact contribute...

The Senate approved amendments to the National Water Commission (NWC) Act on Friday (Jan. 30) to harmonise the provisions of that legislation with the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) Act and the Water Resources Act, with regards to the power to recover debts, issue licences and set tariffs. Piloting the Bill, Leader of Government Business in the Senate, and Minister...

The Senate approved a resolution on Friday (Jan. 30), which seeks to increase the minimum gratuity payable under the Constables (Special) Act to dependents and legal personal representatives of Special Constables who die as a result of injuries related to their duties. Leader of Government business in the Senate, Burchell Whiteman said Government had agreed to, under the Constables (Special)...