The Ministry of Labour and Social Security is replacing its existing legacy work permit process with a new web-based, mobile-friendly work permit and skills certificate management system at a cost of US$927,000. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Karl Samuda, made the disclosure during his contribution to the 2023/24 sectoral debate in the House of Representatives on April 26. Currently, the average processing...

The Government has constructed six fit-for-purpose police stations as part of efforts to improve the working conditions of police officers. The new police stations are Shady Grove, Olympic Gardens, Buff Bay, Port Antonio, Mount Salem, and Green Acres, which will be ready for occupation later this year. This was disclosed by Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, during...

For the first quarter of 2023, Jamaica recorded its lowest murder rate for a first quarter in the last seven years, reports Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang. “Since the start of this year and up to April 22, 2023, murders committed in the country have reduced by 17 per cent, compared to 2022. Overall, major crimes are...

The Government will continue to expand the network of cameras to boost the country’s national closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance programme, dubbed ‘JamaicaEye’. More than 860 Government CCTV cameras have been installed in townships across the island under the programme. This was disclosed by Minister of National Security and Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, during his contribution to the...

Another 1,000 body-worn cameras will be procured for members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) during the 2023/24 fiscal year. A body-worn camera is a wearable audio, video, or photographic recording system used to document images of activities. Making his contribution to the 2023/24 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, today (April 25), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of...

The National Export-Import (EXIM) Bank has approved and disbursed loans valued at some $1.89 billion to 293 beneficiaries in the small and medium-sized tourism enterprise (SMTE) sector. Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, made the disclosure while opening the 2023/24 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (April 18). The loans, arranged by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF),...

The Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) is to undertake three major beach development projects across the island in the 2023/24 fiscal year. Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, made the announcement as he opened the 2023/24 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on April 18. He informed that Negril is the next location selected by the team, and work on...