The Ministry of Labour and Social Security wishes to advise National Insurance Scheme (NIS) pensioners that NIS pension payments will officially begin on Friday, September 18, 2026, following the delay of payments originally scheduled for September 15, 2026. Pensioners are encouraged to make the necessary arrangements to access their payments from Friday, September 18, 2026. The Ministry sincerely apologizes for...

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) has officially launched its Secretary of the Year Award programme, which celebrates the contributions of administrative professionals in the Ministry. The inaugural award for year 2025/2026 has been presented to Gabrielle Patterson, who has also been given the Camille Sinclair Secretary’s Award for Outstanding Performance, during a ceremony held at the Terra...

The Jamaica Society for the Blind (JSB) is inviting high-school students across the island to lend their voices to the cause of vision health, through the World Sight Day 2026 High Schoolers ‘Love Your Eyes’ Competition. The initiative, which is being staged under the theme, ‘Love Your Eyes, Early Detection Saves Sight’, requires students to create original songs or dub...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., has recommitted the Government’s support for education and training for persons living with special needs. Among their requests are additional special needs buses in the Corporate Area and St. Catherine; more advanced learning material and devices in special needs schools; equal access to learning; proper school security; more inclusion, and...

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., says social protection for senior citizens extends beyond meeting their immediate needs to creating opportunities for them to remain active, engaged and involved in national life. He was speaking at the opening of the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC) Spelling Bee Competition on Thursday (September 3), at The Jamaica...

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security is aiming to engage 400 additional senior citizens in digital literacy training by year end. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., reported that 283 Jamaicans have completed the training programme, to date. Addressing the launch of Senior Citizens’ Month at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston on Wednesday (September 2), he noted...

Labour and Social Security Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., is advising persons, who have not yet received benefits under the Restoration of Owner or Occupant Family Shelters (ROOFS) Programme to contact the Ministry’s parish offices. He was speaking during a recent Ministerial Update with Chief Executive Officer of the Jamaica Information Service (JIS), Giovanni Dennis, at the Ministry’s North Street...