Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the Government is making the establishment of the National Identification System (NIDS) a priority. He said the system will have a “positive transformational effect” on the country and serve to improve the lives of Jamaicans. “It will support the ease of doing business by impacting positively on security-related programmes, while promoting financial...

The National Identification and Registration Bill was re-tabled in the House of Representatives on June 6. Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck, withdrew the original Bill on behalf of Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness. “The main considerations were that there were several changes to be made and it was most appropriate that the Bill should be withdrawn and...

The House of Representatives, on Wednesday (May 17), approved the Political Parties Registration Regulations 2017, Resolution. The Regulations, which were drafted by the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) under the Representation of the People Act, provide a framework for the registration and deregistration of political parties, while also facilitating a system whereby an accurate and up-to-date record can be kept...

Please be advised that in light of severe weather conditions, meetings of the Infrastructure and Physical Development Committee and the House of Representatives will not take place today as previously announced. It is expected that normal activities will resume on Wednesday, May 17, 2017.

The Arbitration Bill, which seeks to provide an effective non-judicial mechanism for settling disputes between contracting parties, was passed in the Senate on Friday (April 21) with 50 amendments. The Bill, which is intended to repeal and replace the 1900 Arbitration Act, also seeks to facilitate domestic and international trade and commerce by encouraging the use of arbitration as a...

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...