Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Rudyard Spencer, says 99 per cent of the collective labour agreements have been completed for the 2015-2017 contract period. Making his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on April 11, Mr. Spencer said that discussions are still ongoing with the remaining one per...

A Bill seeking to establish the Jamaica National Service Corps (JNSC) within the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), was passed in the House of Representatives, yesterday (April 12). The Defence (Amendment) Act, which was passed, also formalises the Chief of Defence Staff title given to the Commanding Officer of the JDF. Closing the debate on the Bill, Prime Minister, the Most...

The Senate debate on the Arbitration Bill has been deferred to facilitate a review of the proposed amendments by Opposition members. The Bill is intended to repeal and replace the Arbitration Act of 1900 by providing an effective non-judicial mechanism for settling disputes between contracting parties. It is based on the guidelines of the Model Law published by the United...

Government is to implement the revised pension scheme for public-sector workers on June 1, 2017. The House of Representatives on Wednesday (April 5) passed legislation paving the way for public-sector pension reform. The Bills are the Pensions (Public Service) Act, 2017 and The Constitution (Amendment) (Established Fund) (Payment of Pension) Act, 2017. Under the new regime, civil servants, the police,...

The Defence Act is to be amended to formalise the Chief of Defence Staff title given to the commanding officer of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), and also establish a recruitment arm of the force to be known as the Jamaica National Service Corps (JNSC). Speaking in the House of Representatives on March 28, Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew...

Debate on a Bill to reform arrangements of the public-sector pension scheme began in the House of Representatives yesterday (March 15). The Bills are the Pensions (Public Service) Act, 2016 and The Constitution (Amendment) (Established Fund) (Payment of Pension) Act, 2016. In his opening remarks, Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, said over the years the...

The 2017-18 session of Parliament got underway today (February 9) with the traditional pomp and pageantry. It was highlighted by the delivery of the Throne Speech by Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen. The Governor-General, on his arrival, inspected the Guard of Honour mounted by members of the Jamaica Defence Force, after which he entered the chambers...