Members of the Upper House paid tribute to the late Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Roger Clarke, on September 12, remembering him as “an exceptional Jamaican”. Minister Clarke died on August 28, while returning to the island from the United States, where he had gone for back surgery. Government Senator and President of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Senator...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, says the Ministry will ensure that workers and employers are fully aware of their rights and responsibilities under the impending flexi-work arrangements. The Minister gave the commitment Tuesday, September 9, as he opened the debate on the Employment (Flexible Work Arrangements) (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act in the House of Representatives. He said...

The Senate, last week, approved adjustments to the proposed Tax Collections (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2014, and the Tax Penalties (Harmonization) Act, 2014, with 18 additional amendments to those advanced by the Lower House, on July 23. The amendments are intended to improve and increase collection of the various domestic tax types. This by introducing new collection mechanisms and also achieving...

Since 2011, Government has spent $128 million to extinguish fires at the Riverton Disposal site. This was disclosed by Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Noel Arscott, during the sitting of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, July 29. The Minister was responding to questions posed by Member of Parliament for West Kingston, Desmond McKenzie, in relation to...

A Bill to validate and indemnify the official activities of the Portmore Municipal Council and the Acting Mayor, Leon Thomas, was passed in the Senate on July 25. The Municipalities (Validation and Amendment) Act was piloted by Minister of Justice, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding. Mr. Thomas has been acting in the post of Mayor since the passing of Mr....

The House of Representatives has approved two Bills, aimed at facilitating the collection of taxes and improve the rate of compliance by Jamaicans. They are the Tax Collection (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2014 and the Tax Penalties (Harmonization) Act. They were passed on July 23. Closing the debate, which began on July 22, Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. the Hon....

A levy of US$0.75 has been imposed on each pound of conch exported during the 2014 conch season. The House of Representatives, on Wednesday, July 23, approved the Conch (Export Levy) (Rate of Levy) Order Resolution, 2014, to facilitate the move. The Resolution was brought by Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, on behalf of Agriculture and...

The House of Representatives on Tuesday, July 22, began debate on two pieces of legislation, aimed at enhancing the collection of revenues and improve compliance. The Bills, entitled the Tax Collection (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2014 and the Tax Penalties (Harmonization) Act, were piloted by Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips. The Minister pointed out that the...

Minister of Justice, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding, on Friday, July 18, expressed sympathies to the countries affected by the crash of a Malaysian Airline on Thursday, July 17, on behalf of the Government. “Most of the victims on that flight were from the Netherlands. They were the country most affected by this,” Senator Golding said, at a sitting of...