Government Senator, Abka Fitz-Henley, has reiterated that the Government has taken steps to address the vexed issue of fixed-term contracts within the public sector. “Only a few weeks ago, a senior executive of the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions commended the Administration for moving more than 10,000 workers from contractual arrangements to permanent employment,” Senator Fitz-Henley said. “Additionally, in October...

Beginning April 1, commuters who use a Smartercard to pay their fares on the State-owned Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) buses will benefit from a 50 per cent reduction in fares. Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, Hon. Daryl Vaz, made the disclosure in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (January 30). He said that a Cabinet note is...

The House of Representatives on Tuesday (January 30) approved the Fourth Supplementary Estimates for the fiscal year 2023/24, which reflects total government expenditure of $1.092 trillion. The Estimates proposes a total expenditure of approximately $1.092 trillion, a reduction of $2.5 billion on the approved Budget, following the submission and approval of the Third Supplementary Estimates in September 2023. In his...

A sum of $20 billion has been allocated to constituencies to rehabilitate community roads under the Shared Prosperity through Accelerated Improvement to Our Road Network (SPARK) Programme. Prime Minister, the Most. Hon. Andrew Holness, in making the disclosure in Gordon House on Tuesday (January 23), said $10 billion of the total will be divided equally among the 63 constituencies, which...

Thousands of public servants will no longer be required to submit statutory declarations to the Integrity Commission (IC) following parliament’s approval of an order to raise the threshold for submissions from $3.5 million to $12 million. The Integrity Commission (Total Annual Emoluments Exempt from Statutory Declaration Requirements) Order, 2023, was approved following a resolution moved by Minister of Justice, Hon....

A Bill to amend the Domestic Violence Act was passed in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (December 19). Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, concluded the debate in the Lower House, where she underscored that the Bill is indicative of the Government’s position on citizens’ security and safety. “Today we have traversed the landscape of...

Clerk to the Houses of Parliament, Valrie Curtis, addresses the audience at the annual Elderly Treat and Health Fair on December 13 at Gordon House. Approximately 100 elderly persons who reside at Mark Lane and surrounding communities, downtown Kingston, received care packages containing food items and toiletries. The annual event returned this year after a hiatus due to the COVID-19...